Stories

Washington households continue to face food insecurity amid rising costs and uncertain federal support, WAFOOD6 survey finds
July 22, 2026
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington households are grappling with the sustained pressure of rising prices, strained food budgets and growing uncertainty about federal food assistance programs, according to the sixth wave of the Washington State Food Security Survey (WAFOOD6). The survey, a partnership between the University of Washington, Washington State University and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), gathered responses from 5,717 Washington households between March and April 2026.
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Food Systems students recognized for leadership and service
June 8, 2026
Congratulations to Gabrielle Siros and Michaela Skloven, graduate students in the University of Washington Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health (FSNH) Program, who have received 2026 leadership and service awards. Each year, faculty and students in our graduate program nominate two second-year master’s students who have made exceptional contributions to their cohort. Gabrielle Siros Carrie Cheney...
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Food Systems alumnus James Sherrell receives UW Excellence in Global Engagement Award
June 1, 2026
James Sherrell, a project manager at Harborview Medical Center’s EthnoMed and a graduate of the University of Washington Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Master of Public Health program in the School of Public Health, is the recipient of the 2026 University of Washington Excellence in Global Engagement Award. This award honors a UW community...
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Food Systems students receive 2026 School of Public Health Awards
June 1, 2026
Congratulations to Carmela Stewart and Norma Garfias Avila, University of Washington students in the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health (FSNH) program, who have been awarded 2026 School of Public Health Excellence Awards. This year’s FSNH program recipients have demonstrated high academic achievement and have been inspirational among their peers, faculty mentors, and staff. Carmela Stewart...
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Food Systems faculty receive Distinguished Teaching Award for collaborative team teaching
May 13, 2026
By Kate Stringer Strengthening sustainable, healthy food systems requires countless people working together across professions, disciplines and geographies. Teaching the next generation how to do this work requires the same spirit of collaboration. That’s the perspective of University of Washington School of Public Health faculty Jennifer Otten, Marie Spiker, and Sarah Collier, who have approached...
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Graduate students present practicums at 2026 MPH Practicum Symposium
April 8, 2026
Five Master of Public Health (MPH) students from the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health program participated in the 2026 MPH Practicum Symposium sponsored by the University of Washington School of Public Health held Apr. 8, 2026. The event showcases student work and the significant contributions more than 100 students, faculty mentors, and community partners have...
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How to implement Washington state’s 20-minute school lunch rule
February 25, 2026
Once served and seated, a student in grades K-5 must have at least 20 minutes to eat. This is the new requirement for Washington state elementary schools, based on The Time for Meals rule (WAC 392-157-125), which goes into effect in the 2029-30 school year. The rule requires that schools provide students in grades K-5...
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Alumni experiences transitioning into professional practice and hiring managers’ perspectives
February 20, 2026
We recently connected with a group of our University of Washington Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (GCPD) alumni about their experience after finishing the program. Our graduates consistently reported a smooth transition from graduation to professional practice. The time between graduating, taking the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam to gain the RDN credential, and...
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UW study abroad course explores food, equity, and public health in Morocco
January 15, 2026
Public Health Morocco: Food, Equity, and Health – A Moroccan Exploration of the Social Determinants of Health is an early autumn 2026 study abroad program which follows inquiry-based and experiential methods to explore how societal differences—in terms of gender, socioeconomic status, religion, immigrant status, geographic region, urbanicity—affect food access, nutrition, and health in Morocco. The...
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UW study abroad course explores sustainable food systems in Ireland and Italy
December 17, 2025
La Dolce Vita: Exploring Ireland and Italy in Search of the History and Future of Sustainable Food Systems is a 25-day study abroad program at University of Washington that will explore sustainable food systems across Ireland and Italy in autumn 2026. Important dates to learn more and apply Photos from past years Photos courtesy of...
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