Across the globe, food is shaping some of the biggest questions of our time. Questions like: can we feed a growing population while also reducing agriculture’s contribution to climate change? Can we ensure that the food systems of the future prioritize access to nutritious affordable food for everyone?

These are questions I’ve grappled with throughout my career, from my decades in the nonprofit sector to most recently leading the federal food and nutrition programs at the USDA. Yet, they have never felt more urgent than they do today. Food systems are under immense strain, and we need nothing short of big, bold solutions to fight hunger, improve health, and protect our planet.

The good news is that our collective capacity to innovate, collaborate, and govern better has never been greater. Indeed, as Evan Fraser points out in a recent GFI × Food Tank essay, today’s food crisis is not just about scarcity, but about missed opportunities to harness the abundance already within our reach. And some promising solutions are emerging from local entrepreneurs—from high-tech vertical farms to community-organized facilities—who are building resilience and improving food security in their own backyards. 

Evan’s piece is part of our broader Growing Forward series—a collaborative effort with our partners at Food Tank to surface bold ideas for building better food and agriculture systems. The series is filled with inspiring examples that remind us that innovative work is happening all around us—and that high impact solutions are within our reach. I encourage you to explore the series below.

-Stacy Dean
Carbonell Family Executive Director
Global Food Institute

From local hunger-fighting initiatives to bold ideas for reforming the global food system, GFI’s weekly editorial series with Food Tank spotlights thought leaders driving change across food and agriculture. Each piece highlights innovative solutions to today’s most urgent challenges. Recent contributors include former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, who reflected on the shifting politics of food and the urgent need to align U.S. food policy with public health and climate realities, and Heather Dawn Thompson of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), who emphasized centering Indigenous perspectives in the conversation around buffalo food systems.

This summer, GFI leaders drove conversations on food and public health issues. Stacy Dean discussed SNAP cuts and their impact on household nutrition in Marketplace. Priya Fielding-Singh and Bill Dietz weighed in on the Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda in The Hill and NPR, highlighting concerns about ultra-processed foods, obesity tracking, and sugar substitutions. And in The New York Times, GFI founder José Andrés addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and World Central Kitchen’s efforts to feed people and scale distribution.

Sustainability Research Sandbox. Calling GW faculty! GW’s Sustainability Research Institute will host a Sandbox on September 5th in collaboration with the REACH Center and GFI. This workshop will bring together researchers to help foster innovative ideas and interdisciplinary collaboration on sustainability, food, climate and health. RSVP today to connect with like-minded researchers and brainstorm new research proposals.

Rural & Urban Food Sovereignty: Black Communities Taking the Lead Panel. On September 25th, GFI’s Mya O. Price will convene a panel of Black farmers, food leaders, and community advocates to share how they’re transforming food systems from the ground up. Join an inspiring conversation on reclaiming land, shaping policy, and building a more just, sustainable, and self-determined future for all. RSVP Today

Advancing Food Safety: The Data Culture Imperative. Hosted by GW’s Institute for Food Safety & Nutrition Security (IFSAN), this symposium on October 9th will provide insights as to why a strong data culture is essential for a modern effective food safety system. Hear stories from the field and engage in real-world case studies to demonstrate how a strong data culture leads to faster, better decision-making. Registration is free with the purchase of a $25 lunch ticket.

Food and Agriculture Policy Summit. Join GFI, Food Tank, the Culinary Institute of America, and José Andrés on October 28th for the inaugural Food and Agriculture Policy Summit at the Jack Morton Auditorium in Washington, D.C. This full-day, in-person event will feature dynamic conversations on how to nourish a growing population while advancing sustainability, equity, and resilience across food systems. To request an invitation,email Kenzie Wade at Kenzie@FoodTank.com for consideration.

Hunger on our doorstep. Three food campaigners with firsthand experience of food poverty in urban UK communities, as well as others working to tackle the problem, share their experiences in this important two-part podcast episode. Feed

The view from above. The Food System Dashboard brings together 300 indicators to provide a complete picture of global food systems—covering agricultural production, food accessibility, nutrition, climate, environment, and governance. The Food System Dashboard

Must-reads. Whether you want to learn from top humanitarian leaders, discover bold new culinary voices, or rethink the sustainability of food and agriculture systems, this curated list of books on food, culture and climate is for you. Food Tank

Taking the next step. Are you looking for a job in the food system sector, but don’t know where to start? Follow this Substack for weekly updates on food system sector positions across the United States. Thinking Food Jobs

Meaningful mentorships. Interested in food policy? Whether you’re starting your career or eager to mentor the next generation, programs like Food Policy Pathways and the Congressional Hunger Center’s Zero Hunger Academy offer ways to connect with others passionate about food systems

Don’t forget to support local farmers! With summer winding down, there’s no better place to soak up the last of the season’s abundance than at your local farmers market. Every purchase helps sustain local agriculture and keep food dollars circulating close to home.

This summer at the Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall in D.C., visitors grabbed a pre-made salsa produce kit—a creative way to package peak-season tomatoes, peppers, and herbs, all ready for the kitchen. These kinds of offerings show how farmers markets connect us not only to the ingredients we love, but also to the creativity and hard work of the people who grow them.

 

We want to lift up your work and share information about events, opportunities to collaborate or whatever you think is important to share. Email us at globalfoodinstitute@gwu.edu. 

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