GFI is excited to offer new courses during the Spring 2025 semester! We would appreciate your help in sharing this information with your students and encourage them to enroll today! A full list of information is available on GFI's website. 

New courses include:

GFI 3002: Upper-Level Seminar

Instructor: Dr. Mya Price

Tuesday & Thursday, 4:45-6:00 PM

The structure and challenges of the U.S. food industry. Focus on independent restaurants and their role in the broader agricultural and economic landscape. The impact of climate change on food production, supply chains, and the restaurant industry. 

GFI 3005: Systems Thinking for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation

Instructor: Dr. Sydney Pryor 

Wednesday, 12:45-3:15 PM

Want to explore how food and agriculture contribute to, and are impacted by, our society’s most pressing challenges? Learn how to apply a systems thinking approach to evaluate our agrifood systems and their influence on human and planetary health.

GFI 3006: Culinary Diplomacy 

Instructor: Sam Chapple-Sokol

Tuesday, 12:45-3:15 PM

Introduction to culinary diplomacy and its power to change the course of diplomatic history, national economies, and personal relationships. Learn how meals can create cross-cultural understanding through both academic and practical perspectives.

Other GFI Spring Courses:

GFI 1001: Introduction to Food Studies

Instructor: Dr. Mya Price

Monday & Wednesday, 2:20-3:35 PM

Provides a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of global food systems. Students will gain the skills necessary to critically examine these systems and address the opportunities and challenges they present for fostering a more equitable and sustainable food future.

GFI 3095: Food Leadership Capstone

Instructor: Dr. Mya Price 

Monday & Wednesday, 4:45-6:00 PM

Through a concentrated capstone topic, students develop collaborative leadership skills and drive decisive action to create sustainable, equitable solutions for the future of our food systems. Prerequisites: completion of all other coursework required for the minor.

Below are opportunities to nominate colleagues for awards, as well as innovative funding opportunities.

James Beard Impact Awards

The 2025 James Beard Impact Awards recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive. Nominate a person or organization by this Friday, 11/29. Learn more and apply today!

Call for Proposals: Danone Institute North America Sustainable Food Systems Initiative            

The DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative is calling for proposals to fund up to five transdisciplinary teams in 2025 to design, implement and evaluate actionable community-based projects that contribute to the nutritional health of adult populations and support publication and communication about their impact.

Funding from this initiative can be used for various types of projects and can include pilot studies, feasibility testing, and needs assessments. Each selected team will receive a USD 50,000 DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative grant to implement its project and amplify its message to a broader audience over a two-year period. Teams may use this grant mechanism to supplement current funding from other sources, but new project aims must be developed for the DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative funding.

Earlier this month, GFI's Executive Director, Stacy Dean was a panelist for a conversation hosted by the Aspen Institute.

Watch a recording of the conversation on Food Justice: Food Security & Elections. Learn how elections impact food security, and related topics like the economy, climate change, and racial and gender equity. 

As the holiday season begins, we'd like to thank you all for your enthusiasm and the amazing work you are doing in the food system space! Please reach out to globalfoodinstitute@gwu.edu with any news, questions, or ideas.

Stay tuned for more information about convenings and networking opportunities among Affiliate Faculty. We look forward to more collaborations!