Duke World Food Policy Center

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Duke World Food Policy Center

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World Food Policy Center programs and activities focus on scalable food system practices and policies related to a) food insecurity, b) food policy evaluation, c) inequality in the food system, and d) strategies for resilience and sustainability.

10/30/2025

Nov. 20 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

This free webinar will explore the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual survey of household food security, and how it informs the work of different organizations in the U.S. Since the mid-1990s, USDA has reported on household food insecurity in the U.S. and at the state level. The Trump administration announced it is canceling the annual survey and will release a final report covering 2024 data in October 2025. The USDA reports and data are key to policy discussions on the health and well-being of Americans. Researchers, clinicians, and policymakers have used this information as an indicator of the impact of poverty, to assess the effectiveness of federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and to understand the contributions and limitations of the charitable food sector.

In this webinar, we will discuss how the nation’s largest food bank network uses USDA household food security data to report on Map the Meal Gap nationally; share work the Greater Boston Food Bank has led in assessing food insecurity and the charitable food sector in Massachusetts; and highlight economic research that uses these data to inform federal policy.

REGISTER: https://duke.is/r/at78

Panel

Moderated by Norbert Wilson, director of Duke's World Food Policy Center at the Sanford School of Public Policy.

• Emily Engelhard, Vice President of Research at Feeding America
• Lauren Fiechtner, MD, MPH, Director of Nutrition, Pediatric Gastroenterology and General Academic Pediatrics, Mass General Brigham for Children; Associate Professor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Senior Health and Research Advisor, Greater Boston Food Bank
• Parke Wilde, Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University

10/23/2025

Join Kelly Brownell from Duke University as he sits down with Dr. Diego Bohorquez, an associate professor in the School of Medicine at Duke University. In this episode of the Leading Voices in Food podcast, they explore the fascinating connection between gut health and brain function. Dr. Bohorquez delves into the emerging science of how the gut influences decision making, the role of the gut's sensory system, and the impact of modern dietary changes on this intricate relationship. They also discuss the potential and implications of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and the future of gut-brain axis research. Tune in to discover how the gut's communication with the brain affects what we eat, our overall health, and much more.

Podcast and transcript – https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/gut-instincts-food-and-decision-making/

10/22/2025

What We Lose as USDA Household Food Security Reporting Ends

This webinar will explore the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual survey of household food security, and how it informs the work of different organizations in the U.S. Since the mid-1990s, USDA has reported on household food insecurity in the U.S. and at the state level. The Trump administration announced it is canceling the annual survey and will release a final report covering 2024 data in October 2025. The USDA reports and data are key to policy discussions on the health and well-being of Americans. Researchers, clinicians, and policymakers have used this information as an indicator of the impact of poverty, to assess the effectiveness of federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and to understand the contributions and limitations of the charitable food sector.

In this webinar, we will discuss how the nation’s largest food bank network uses USDA household food security data to report on Map the Meal Gap nationally; share work the Greater Boston Food Bank has led in assessing food insecurity and the charitable food sector in Massachusetts; and highlight economic research that uses these data to inform federal policy.

Moderated by Norbert Wilson, Professor of Public Policy, Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy

Panelists:
• Emily Engelhard, Vice President of Research at Feeding America
• Lauren Fiechtner, MD, MPH, Director of Nutrition, Pediatric Gastroenterology and General Academic Pediatrics, Mass General Brigham for Children; Associate Professor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Senior Health and Research Advisor, Greater Boston Food Bank
• Parke Wilde, Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University

Register now:
https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/webinar-what-we-lose-as-usda-household-food-security-reporting-ends/

10/16/2025

In this episode of the Leading Voices in Food podcast, Kelly Brownell hosts a discussion with Julia Belluz, a journalist for the New York Times, and Dr. Kevin Hall, a physicist and pioneering nutrition researcher at the NIH. They delve into their new book 'Food Intelligence: the Science of How Food Both Nourishes and Harms Us,' exploring the challenges of navigating today's complex food landscape. The conversation covers myths about nutrition, the impacts of ultra-processed foods, and the modern food environment's collision with human biology. They also discuss promising pathways for improving global food systems and personal health through better food choices.

Podcast and transcript – https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/the-science-of-how-food-both-nourishes-and-harms-us/

09/24/2025

Join host Kelly Brownell on The Leading Voices in Food as he interviews Taylor Hanson, co-founder of the band Hanson and the nonprofit organization Food On The Move. Discover how Taylor transitioned from his music career to addressing food insecurity in Oklahoma. Learn about the innovative and community-centric approaches of Food On The Move, its impact on food deserts, and its efforts to build sustainable local food systems. This episode of Leading Voices in Food delves into the challenges and successes of combating hunger with dignity and empowerment.
Podcast and transcript – https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/taylor-hansons-food-on-the-move/

09/22/2025

Are healthy, environmentally sustainable diets affordable to all? https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/are-healthy-environmentally-sustainable-diets-economically-achievable-for-everyone/

09/19/2025

In this episode of the Leading Voices in Food podcast, Norbert Wilson discusses the complex topic of global food demand with experts Andrew Muhammad from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and Emiliano Lopez Barrera from Texas A&M. They examine the challenges and implications of transitioning to sustainable diets like those recommended by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The discussion delves into the economics of dietary habits, income growth, food security, environmental impacts, and the dual burdens of malnutrition and obesity in developing countries. They also cover the complexities of modeling food systems and the potential policy interventions to create sustainable and healthy diets globally. Tune in to explore how innovative research and economic models can inform better food policy decisions.

Podcast and transcript – https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/are-healthy-environmentally-sustainable-diets-economically-achievable-for-everyone/

09/03/2025

The psychological distress of chronic food insecurity deeply affects people's mental and physical health. https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/reports/food-security-dynamics-and-health-the-association-between-chronic-food-insecurity-psychological-distress-and-self-rated-health-in-the-united-states/

08/28/2025

In this episode, Dr. Chris van Tulleken, a physician and professor from University College London, discusses the alarming reality of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their impact on our health. Van Tulleken details his own month-long experiment consuming UPFs, resulting in significant weight gain and various health issues. He explains the scientific definition of UPFs, their industry-driven design to enhance addictiveness, and the broader implications on public health. The conversation delves into the addiction potential of UPFs, their effect on brain chemistry, and the critical need for policy change to address these issues. Hosted by Kelly Brownell, this episode offers a thorough, eye-opening exploration of why we can't stop eating food that isn't really food.

Podcast and transcript – https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/is-ultra-processed-food-still-food/

08/25/2025

Join Kelly Brownell from Duke University in this eye-opening episode of the Leading Voices in Food podcast. Kelly interviews Jennifer Pomeranz, Associate Professor of Public Health Policy at NYU, and Emily Broad Lieb, Director of the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation. They discuss the GRAS loophole in FDA regulation that allows unsafe food ingredients to bypass scrutiny, the health risks associated, and their innovative proposal for a user fee program to improve food safety. Learn about real-life examples, such as the dangers of trans fats and red dye #3, and the systemic issues within the FDA that contribute to prolonged public exposure to harmful food additives.

Podcast and transcript – https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/industry-user-fees-could-fix-a-food-safety-loophole-for-fda/

07/31/2025

Join Kelly Brownell from Duke University's World Food Policy Center on the Leading Voices in Food Podcast, as he hosts NPR food writer Elspeth Hay, author of 'Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food.' Discover the surprising benefits and rich history of nuts, including acorns, chestnuts, and hazelnuts, and learn about their environmental impact, cultural significance, and potential role in sustainable agriculture. Elspeth shares fascinating insights about forest farming, the importance of keystone species, and the untapped potential of nut trees in solving modern-day food and climate challenges.

Podcast and transcript – https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/feed-us-with-trees-the-surprising-importance-of-nuts/

07/15/2025

In this episode of the Leading Voices in Food Podcast, host Kelly Brownell of Duke University discusses the alarming effects of digital media on children's food and nutrition habits. Joined by experts Dr. Amanda Staiano from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Dr. Thomas Robinson from Stanford University, they delve into the rapid evolution of screen time and its profound impact on children's health, obesity risks, and dietary patterns. The conversation covers groundbreaking research, the pervasive influence of social media influencers, and the sophisticated marketing targeting young audiences. The episode also explores potential positive uses of digital technology for promoting healthier behaviors and highlights ongoing efforts in policy and parent advocacy to address these challenges. Don't miss this insightful discussion on combating the digital tide for a healthier future for our children.

Interview and transcript – https://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/podcasts/how-screen-time-affects-our-kids-eating-activity-and-mental-health/

Address

201 Science Drive, Rm 215, Box 90249
Durham, NC
27708

Website

http://wfpc.sanford.duke.edu/

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Bridging to Better Policy

The World Food Policy Center is a research, education, and convening organization at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. Center programs and activities focus on scalable food system practices and policies in support of a) equitable food-oriented economic development, b) social justice, c) public health, and d) environmental sustainability. Through our work, we explore human perspectives at each stage of problem analysis, solution design, and testing. We strive to uncover historical drivers of inequality and to bridge disconnected areas of food-related policy and practice intentionally. And, we seek to enhance community health and wellbeing by learning from and connecting with the people most affected by food system challenges.

Our Vision

Our goal is to improve human wellbeing, environmental health, and equity through innovative food system policy and practice. To achieve this, we strive to:

Understand the unique challenges and characteristics of rural and urban food systems, and how to translate solutions between them

Advance the principles and strategies of equitable food-oriented development as a mechanism for disrupting inequality, and driving sustainability

Engage critical audiences and change agents in a deeper understanding of food systems challenges, research advances, and pilot solutions

Contribute to food policy improvement by educating the next generation of professionals through hands-on, applied research

Our Approach

We catalyze innovative thinking and coordinated action to change policy and practice across the food system. To do this, we intentionally bridge the worlds of academia, industry, philanthropy, non-profits, governance, community, and culture. We conduct work at the global, national, and local levels in Durham and rural North Carolina.

We strive to:

create teams that bring stakeholders and change agents into collaboration

seek out and learn from the lived experiences of high-risk populations

build the relationships and trust needed to engage as partners in solution ideation fully

analyze historical context and the present-day outcomes of past public policy and practice

research gaps in knowledge to cultivate resilient, data-informed, and systemic solutions and best bet recommendations

structure solutions to achieve social justice, and to nurture human and environmental interdependence

Our Values

Healthy food is a fundamental human right. Society has a responsibility to create a resilient and sustainable food system to meet the evolving needs of our local, regional, and global communities.

Food system solutions must also address the root causes. Systemic and intermittent poverty creates simultaneous issues with housing, healthcare disparity, underemployment, and food insecurity in communities and individual households.

Relationships drive change. Trust is the basis for confronting the past, building mutual understanding, and envisioning new opportunities. Change happens at the speed of trust.

Social justice work must be grounded in humility. Confronting and dismantling the structural inequality in our culture requires continuous self-reflection, a willingness to try and fail, and a patient and long-term commitment to change.

Community-driven, institution-supported collaborations create sustainability. When institutions support community leadership, community ownership promotes sustained progress.