Published: June 2024
Authors: Food Tank, Duke World Food Policy Center
“The Health and Wellbeing of Future Generations in Policy”
Summit in Support of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
The Summit was co-hosted by Food Tank, the White House, and Duke University’s
World Food Policy Center, housed in the Sanford School of Public Policy.
The goals of this session were to highlight progress, elevate solutions to barriers, and identify areas for continued effort toward each of the National Strategy’s five pillars. Plenary conversations took place on the main stage, and breakout sessions were held to facilitate more focused discussions on key topics.
The following experts (in alphabetical order) participated as speakers and/or facilitators:
Alma S. Adams, U.S. Member of Congress (via video); Craig Albanese, Duke University Health System; Alice Ammerman, UNC-Chapel Hill; Kelliann Blazek, The White House; Sean B. Cash, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Chris M. Collins, The Duke Endowment; Roy Cooper, North Carolina Governor (via video); Don Davis, U.S. Member of Congress (via video); Lauren Davis, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Merry Davis, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Foundation; Rachel Ferencik, CDC Foundation; Gavan Fitzsimons, Duke Fuqua School of Business; Valerie Foushee, U.S. Member of Congress; Maggie Funkhouser, Carrboro Farmers Market and NC Farmers Market Network; Luis Guardia, Food Research & Action Center; Debbie Hamrick, North Carolina Farm Bureau; Jeff Jackson, U.S. Member of Congress (via video); Steven Jennings, Ahold Delhaize USA; Debra Clark Jones, Community Health at Duke University; Rob Kinneen, Native Alaskan Chef + NĀTIFS; Ken Kolb, Furman University; Kathy Manning, U.S. Member of Congress (via video); Will McIntee, White House; Dr. Greg Murphy, U.S. Member of Congress (via video); Jennifer Norka, American Frozen Food Institute; Mary Oxendine, Potlikker Capital; Justine Post, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA; Deborah Ross, U.S. Member of Congress (via video); Luke Saunders, Farmer’s Fridge; Sean Sherman, Executive Director of NĀTIFS; Baldemar Velasquez, Farm Labor Organizing Committee; Eric Wiebe, Emanuel Food Pantry; Leonardo Williams, Mayor of Durham; and Norbert Wilson, Duke World Food Policy Center.
Following the main stage program, participants chose one breakout session to attend. Conversations during these breakout sessions inform the “The Community Perspective” sections of this report. Sessions included the following:
- Community-Based Efforts to Improve Local Food Environments, focusing on how community-driven initiatives are ensuring all residents have access to healthy, nutritious, and culturally relevant food options. Participants discussed the qualities that define successful programs and strategies to overcome barriers to developing/scaling these initiatives.
- The Role of Food Business in Increasing Access to Healthy Foods, focusing on how food businesses can help eaters access healthy food options. Participants discussed opportunities for companies of all sizes to take action, as well as the potential of public-private partnerships.
- Good Food Purchasing for Farmers, Eaters, and the Planet, focusing on links between producers and resilient communities. Participants discussed the importance of farmers toward food and nutrition security, the power of procurement practices, and the resources farmers in rural and urban environments need to thrive.
A full replay of the mainstage program is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zUUqYmGEEo&ab_channel=FoodTank