Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health
Food Systems Major
August 26, 2026
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Farm to Preschool Food System Requirements Mapping Report
In collaboration with the City of Seattle Human Services Department and Seattle Farm to Preschool Program, capstone students generated deliverables to help early childhood education (ECE) sites navigate the complex food system requirements of multiple nutrition assistance programs in Seattle. The group extracted information from assistance program websites and materials provided by their community partners,...Free Summer Meals Outreach Strategy Development: Combating Hunger for Seattle Youth
Capstone students partnered with the City of Seattle’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and United Way of King County to develop outreach and promotional tools to help increase awareness of and participation in the free Summer Meals Program for children. Team 1 devised a two-prong approach to appeal to both high school and elementary/middle-school students....Seattle Farm to Preschool Program Family Engagement
The Seattle Farm to Preschool Program (F2P) works to connect local preschools with farmers through various learning opportunities, hands-on activities, and events. Capstone students were asked to help increase family engagement with the program, as well as develop resources to support a DIY farm stand activity. In collaboration with community partners, the Family-Engagement team designed...August 25, 2026
Updating King Conservation District’s Community Agriculture Conservation Resource Guide
UW students partnered with the King Conservation District (KCD) to revise their Community Agriculture Conservation Resource Guide, improving accessibility and updating information for community gardeners throughout King County. Capstone Community Team members reviewed current community agriculture resources, interviewed garden leaders across King County, and collaborated with KCD staff to identify user needs and resource gaps....June 3, 2026
Ryan Koppler
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I graduated from Henritetta Lacks Health and Bioscience High School in 2022 in Vancouver, Washington. As a first-generation college student, being admitted to the University of Washington was an exciting opportunity, and one I’m deeply grateful for. I chose to attend UW because of its...April 22, 2026
Elvis Chan
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I moved to the U.S. at 17 to pursue my education, starting at a community college in Seattle before transferring. I was drawn to UW not only because of how beautiful the campus is, but also because...Vanessa Perez
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I grew up in Washington, so staying near home and in a community I am familiar with was really important to me. At the same time, I have always loved big cities, so Seattle felt like the perfect place for me. The UW campus is...Eric Liu
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? Coming from Guangxi, China, I grew up in a region with a rich agricultural heritage and a deep respect for the journey from farm to table. When looking for a university, the University of Washington stood out not just for its academic rigor, but for...March 30, 2026
Climate-Friendly Dining at the University of Washington
In collaboration with UW Sustainability and UW Housing & Food Services, capstone students we tasked with evaluating ways for the UW to support their commitment to the World Resources Institute’s Coolfood Pledge, an initiative to reduce 25% of food-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. Groups conducted a comprehensive audit of physical and digital menus...University of Washington Food Systems Working Group: Support for the Sustainability Action Plan
Students partnered with UW Sustainability to support their 2025-2030 Sustainability Action Plan. Capstone groups analyzed the University’s food system across all three campuses, addressing the need for greater coordination and transparency across food-related programs. They then performed a landscape analysis to identify opportunities for the emerging Food Systems Working Group to drive the campus food...Next page