Fall 2026 course registration opens on Monday, March 30. Fill your plate and fuel your future with Food Leadership courses! 

GFI Course Offerings Include: 

Photos by Chasity Smith/GW

Last semester, students in the Food, Flow & Photography course brought the physics and visuals of food to life — transforming everyday ingredients into stunning visual storytelling! This course, led by GW faculty, Azar Panah and Meredith Rizzo, blends science, creativity, and culinary art together to shape how we see and interact with the food system. 

On March 17, join the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future for a full day of panel discussions, community perspectives, door prizes, giveaways and a reception – including a GFI pesto cooking demonstration. Morning activities include campus and museum tours, an interactive climate solutions simulator workshop, and a Singing to Sustain music workshop. The afternoon features an exciting series of panels made up of international experts on university sustainability practices, data centers, and sustainability in the arts!

On March 19, Join the innovative food entrepreneurs behind Andy’s Pizza and Falafel Inc., for an energizing and candid conversation! These founders will share real stories from the frontlines of launching and growing food ventures—including how they got started, where they find inspiration, what keeps them innovating daily, and why the future of food matters more than ever.

On March 25, celebrate culture, community, and delicious cuisine. Join GW Dining, GW’s Center of Interfaith and Spiritual Life,  GW Hillel, and GW Division of Student Affairs for an afternoon of complimentary kosher food, music, and connection highlighting diverse Jewish culinary traditions. This festival is open to all students. Stop by Columbian Square to sample a variety of dishes, learn more about kosher food, and enjoy a festive campus gathering.

April 7, 2026, 6:30-8pm
GW’s City View Room
(Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E Street NW, 7th Floor)

Seeking a career with passion and purpose?
Come learn about working in food policy with Food Policy Pathways!

On Tuesday, April 7th, join us at the George Washington University for a student event exploring career pathways in food and agriculture policy.

Hosted by the Global Food Institute, Food Policy Pathways, and partners across the George Washington University, this event will feature a panel of changemakers working at the city and federal levels in Washington, DC, who are shaping the future of food systems through public service. Learn about job opportunities in food policy, gain access to FREE career preparation resources and mentorship with experienced policy leaders, and connect with professionals and fellow students over a post-event reception. Dinner will be provided!

Learn more and RSVP here by Friday, March 27.

Don’t miss this exciting chance to discover your path in food policy.

SEEDS is a research program launched by the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security (IFSAN) for undergraduate students interested in pursuing research with support from IFSAN-affiliated faculty. Areas of research interest include: food safety, nutrition security, water, food, nutrition, water policy, and food systems. Apply by May 31.

New this year, GFI and the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) partnered to create the Food Innovation Track for the New Venture Competition (NVC) to support solutions that improve food security, nutrition, food safety, sustainability, or access to healthy food.

Semifinalist ventures include a digital agri-marketplace that directly connects farmers with businesses, developing a portable superfood protein snack (from crickets!), and machine-learning tools to reduce food insecurity by cutting payment errors in SNAP! 

Are you passionate about food justice, health equity, or community-engaged research? Do you excel in organization and teamwork? This job is for you! 

GFI, the Center for Community Resilience, Institute for Socioeconomic Opportunity, and GW’s School of Public Health are hiring a Student Project Assistant to contribute to a community-engaged project that takes a comprehensive look at how residents in Washington DC’s Ward 7 & 8 experience the food system as it relates to their basic health.  

The annual Pitch George competition on Saturday, March 21, is one of GW's premier entrepreneurial initiatives organized by the GW Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (CFEE). 

Why volunteer? 

- Build event management & leadership skills (great for your resume!)

- Receive a free professional headshot

- Network with judges, founders & fellow students

- Complimentary food, drinks, & lunch!!

Gen Z Food and Hunger Summit - This July in DC!

Those most affected by hunger and poverty should be at the center of finding solutions—and in the U.S., no generation of adults is more likely to be affected by food insecurity than Gen Z.

GFI is proud to partner with the Congressional Hunger Center and Food Systems Collaborative to host the 4th Gen Z Food & Hunger Summit on July 14-15, 2026.

We invite students to apply to participate in this Summit for an in-depth, insider’s look at the current food insecurity landscape and to connect with your lawmakers to share your experiences and perspectives.

Learn more about this impactful summit and how you can take part as an ambassador. The application deadline is April 30.

We want to lift up your work and share information about events, and opportunities to collaborate. Email us at globalfoodinstitute@gwu.edu.