WHAT'S ON THE MENU

A GFI student newsletter.

Looking for a course that connects your interests to the world around you?

Discover how food shapes our communities, cultures, and future through discussions, hands-on learning, and professional perspectives. 

Explore GFI’s spring course catalog, covering everything from food policy and culinary diplomacy to journalism and regenerative agriculture.

Open to students across all majors. Some courses also count toward Sustainability Minor and Food Leadership Minor requirements. 

In GFI’s World on A Plate, a course designed by world-renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés, students explore the many ways food intersects with public health, politics, science, industry, culture, and more. 

This semester, the course is opening its guest lecture series to the entire GW community. So far, we’ve welcomed speakers from the World Bank, the Aspen Institute, and our friend Heather Dawn Thompson from World Wildlife Fund (pictured)! Students are invited to attend any session that interests them, with no course enrollment or registration required!

Hear from an exciting lineup of leaders shaping the future of food and agriculture, including: 

Follow our events page for more like this:

Have a meaningful family story centered around food? Turn it into a short film for a chance to win the Best Food Story Award, sponsored by GFI! 

Submit a 3-5 minute film by November 30 that shares a true, personal story through food and includes an interview with a family member or friend, a home movie clip, and family photos. Student submissions are free.

Ready to share your story? 

Attend an upcoming volunteer training with GW’s student-run food pantry, The Store. 

Whether you can spare an hour a week or a couple of shifts a month, this flexible opportunity gives you the chance to directly fight food insecurity on campus and support your fellow students.  

Upcoming Training Dates & Times:

• Oct. 21 | 4PM | Student Center 311

• Nov. 3 | 6:30PM | Student Center 402

Interested in building a career in food policy, sustainability, or community impact? Join the North American Food Systems Network for a virtual event on Tuesday, Nov. 10. 

Hear from professionals at two of our partner organizations – World Central Kitchen and Food Policy Networks – as they share insights into their work and discuss career opportunities across the food systems field. 

Join GW's Student Health Center Advisory Council 

Apply by Oct. 23 at 5:00 PM 

The Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) serves as a formal bridge between the George Washington University Student Health Center (SHC) and the broader student body. Key topics for discussion this year include improving access to information about the SHC, enhancing awareness and promotion of lesser-known services, and identifying opportunities for internal improvements within the SHAC. 

Join the World Food Forum Youth Policy Board

Open call for applications. Apply by Nov. 30! 

The World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly brings together young people and organizations to shape agrifood policy, share knowledge, and develop solutions for more sustainable food systems. Led by the Youth Policy Board, it connects youth perspectives with global policy frameworks through consultations, policy dialogues and, intergenerational collaboration, ensuring young voices help shape the future of agrifood systems and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Join the FoodCorps!

Applications open Jan. 2027

FoodCorps provides full-time, paid eleven-and-a-half-month positions in which members build healthy school food environments in communities across the country through hands-on, experiential food education.

Dumbarton Oaks Research Fellowship

Apply by Nov. 1

Spend an academic year or term at the Home of the Humanities! Apply for the 2027-2028 Research Fellowship in Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and Garden and Landscape Studies. 

At the 2026 Regional College Hunger Conference, Kaleigh Steigman, manager of GW’s on-campus food pantry, The Store, led participants on a tour highlighting the resources available to students experiencing food insecurity. The visit also celebrated The Store’s 10th anniversary! 

Kaleigh is an MPA student at GW’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and a Gen Z Food and Hunger Summit Ambassador. 

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