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Student leaders launch Food Systems Leadership Coalition at UW

Student members of the Food Systems Leadership Coalition of UW at their inaugural meeting in November 2025. Students pose for a group photo
Members of the new Food Systems Leadership Coalition at UW pose for a photo at the inaugural meeting held in early November 2025.

In early November 2025, more than 20 student leaders from across the University of Washington gathered for the first meeting of a new student-led initiative—the Food Systems Leadership Coalition (FSLC)—dedicated to advancing a campus where no one goes hungry.

Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Student Resource Coordinator Carmela Stewart initiated the idea by reaching out to students already active in food access and sustainability efforts on campus. 

Student members of the Food Systems Leadership Coalition of UW at their inaugural meeting in November 2025. Students sit in a circle
Students in the coalition utilized “circle keeping” to hold space, a practice originally used by the Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest. The practice was used to hold space that eliminates any form of hierarchy and puts everyone at an equal level of power.

“There are so many passionate people and groups with incredible ideas. I noticed a lack of interconnectedness among the student population so I wanted to find a way to bring everyone together,” Stewart said. “Food access, food inequality and hunger are important issues for so many student organizations at UW. There’s a lot of energy and motivation among students who want to take action towards tackling the problems in our food system.”

During the inaugural meeting, students participated in a practice known as circle keeping—a tradition originally used by the Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest—to create an inclusive and non-hierarchical space where every voice carries equal weight.

Personal artifacts contributed by students laid out on floor

Personal items that held value to individual members were contributed to form a centerpiece in the circle.

The coalition’s mission describes itself as “a collective of hard-working, passionate student leaders dedicated to learning, leading, and taking action to address gaps and issues within and beyond the University of Washington’s food system.”

Their work will focus on connecting registered student organizations (RSOs), academic programs, and community partners to strengthen UW’s food system, build cross-disciplinary relationships, and increase awareness around nutrition, sustainability, and cultural food traditions.

Stewart, who is a Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health major and volunteers at the Husky Food Pantry, is excited about the formation of this new group.

“I am so proud and excited to see this coalition and its members grow. We already have some ideas in development where we plan to create food drive concerts. We are also striving to uplift and bring more visibility to food systems and nutrition-related RSOs and groups.” 

The group is in its early stages of governing, but has clear momentum and will  soon identify collaborative projects that connect the UW community around shared values of sustainability, justice, and nourishment.

Follow and support the Food Systems Leadership Coalition’s instagram account to stay informed.

November 14, 2025