Forging the Future of Food and Nutrition Education

Abstract

In her final JNEB presidential editorial, Jennifer Wilkins described how the COVID-19 pandemic presents challenges and opportunities. 1 As I write this in early June, both the pandemic and protests for racial justice dominate the news. These crises have exacerbated the challenges we already faced: ecological threats on a planetary scale, the fragility of centralized and concentrated food systems, racial inequities in food access and health, and a food supply dominated by ultra-processed foods. Times of disruption are moments to reflect, redirect, and rebuild. Food and nutrition education can empower people to demand healthy, just, and sustainable food by disrupting the status quo. Let's roll up our sleeves and forge the future by elevating what I am calling the 5Rs of food and nutrition education: richness, resolve, recognition, relevance, and resilience.

Looking Back and Moving Forward: SNEB Commitment to Embracing Racial Equity and Social Justice

“…10 In response to police injustice experienced by the BIPOC community, the SNEB Board issued a statement to end racism and challenge nutrition organizations and professionals to be part of the solution. 10 "SNEB can play a critical role in exposing and addressing food injustices and racial disparities in the food system" by promoting empowering communities to change their local food systems, demand routine access to healthy food for all, and dismantle food-related discrimination in our institutions, at the local, state, tribal, and national level. 11 The SNEB board members committed to participate in a racial equity training series, modeled after the Food Solutions New England 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge.…”