A Food Systems Spire of A Food Systems Spire of Excellence at theExcellence at the

University of VermontUniversity of Vermont

Submitted by:Submitted by: Prof. Vern Grubinger, Extension (Chair) Prof. Linda Berlin, Extension and CALS Prof. Elizabeth Berman, Libraries Prof. Naomi Fukagawa, College of Medicine Prof. Jane Kolodinsky, CALS Prof. Deborah Neher, CALS Prof. Bob Parsons, CALS Prof. Amy Trubek, CALS Prof. Kimberly Wallin, Rubenstein School

Paradox to addressParadox to addressDiet-related health problemsFood-borne diseaseFood insecurity/hungerAgricultural pollution

Amidst unparalleled productivity

Food systems definedFood systems defined An interconnected web of activities, resources and

people that extends across all domains involved in providing human nourishment and sustaining health (including production, processing, packaging, distribution, marketing, consumption and disposal of food).

Reflects and responds to social, cultural, political, economic, health and environmental conditions

Can be identified at multiple scales, from a household kitchen to a city, county, state or nation.

HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL BEING

access to foodcultural fulfillment

culinary satisfactionnutritional needs

economic well beingfood safety

physical health

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

air qualitybiological diversityecosystem stabilityland use patterns

soil healthwater quality

FOOD PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION

agricultural productionfood processing

marketingpackaging

storagetransportation

THE FOOD

SYSTEM

UVM Food Systems Working Group 12/3/09

INPUTS

fossil energyhuman / economic capitalknowledge / information

labornatural resources

solar energy OUTPUTS

by-productseconomic activity

food productspollutants

wastes

INFLUENCESBeliefs, culture,

economics, geography, politics, policy,

research, values,weather / climate

Our modelOur model

Our visionOur visionDevelop solutions to pressing problemsin food systems through world-classtransdisciplinary research, teaching and outreach dedicated to improving economic, ecological and human well-being.

Our focusOur focusLocal and regionally-scaled food

systems to:Move goods and services within a day’s timeMinimize storage, handling and energy usageEnable the establishment of mutually

beneficial relationships among food system entities

Provide consistent political, social, and regulatory support

History of challenging business as usual Varied topography, harsh climate and

limited infrastructure leads to entrepreneurship

Food is significant economic engine in Vermont (31% of private business establishments involve food)

Direct sales, organic farming, conservation easements

Why Vermont as a laboratory?Why Vermont as a laboratory?

Why UVM?Why UVM? Northeast opportunities Research and funding Nationally acclaimed entrepreneurship UVM commitments to environment and

health Undergrads exploring food systems Already involved in transdisciplinary

approaches

4 research focus areas4 research focus areasFood, Culture and HealthEnergy and FoodPolicy, Ecology and Land UseRegional Value Chains

Achieving successAchieving success Create 4 faculty positions Endow a Chair in Regional Food Systems Research Offer food systems research planning grants Host biennial national symposia Establish UVM Regional Food Systems Advisory

Council Engage the campus community Capitalize on food systems research to recruit

students Commit to a leadership role

Potential FundingPotential FundingNIFA (food security, climate change,

sustainable energy, childhood obesity and food safety)

NIH Roadmap for Medical ResearchVermont foundationsW.K. Kellogg and other national

foundations

Measuring Success - internalMeasuring Success - internal Year 1

3 transdisciplinary proposals submitted ($1 million) Masters in Food Systems program launched; 2 Ph.D. students 5 faculty associate refereed publications with food systems Campaign initiated to endow a Food Systems Chair

Year 2 $5 million in grant proposals submitted 15 faculty associate publications with food systems Chair’s endowment reaches $2 million in pledges 5 master’s students and 2 doctoral students

Measuring success - externalMeasuring success - external

Logic Model for Engaged Food Systems Scholarship Outcomes

Example Program Areas

Short TermMetrics

Medium TermMetrics

Long TermMetrics

“Farm to School”(Food, Culture, Health)

healthier menus fruit & vegetable intake obesity, diabetes rates

nutrition awareness sugar consumption academic performance

use of local products local farm income/profit farms stay in business

“New Dairy Products” (Regional Value Chains)

new products developed sales of new products food sector profitability

regional markets established transportation costs energy, carbon flows

farm partnerships designed sales/profits per farm land use pattern