Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health
Food Systems Major
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...Eco-Regional School Gardener’s Almanac for the PNW
Capstone students collaborated with the Pierce County Office of Resilience and Climate Action (ORCA) to develop portions of the Eco-Regional School Gardener’s Almanac for the Pacific Northwest Region, a resource for 6th grade teachers cultivating school gardens with their students. Groups researched climate and seasonality, biodiversity, and cycles of matter to create age-appropriate lessons and...November 5, 2025
Carmela Stewart
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I am Afro-Peruvian, born in Peru and raised in Seattle. While my parents were getting their PhDs in Anthropology and Ethnomusicology at UW, they were simultaneously raising my older brother, my younger sibling, and me. I grew up in a diverse community consisting of musicians,...August 21, 2025
Value-Added Production for Food Rescue, Security, Healthy Diets, and Learning
Capstone students partnered with the UW Farm and Dr. Eli Wheat to support the Farm’s work in urban agriculture and sustainability. Team 2 researched ways to implement value-added production practices into the UW Farm’s daily operations, which can increase sustainable methods of production and reduce food waste on the Farm. Team 1 developed a UW...Nutritional Education in Support of Community-Scale Agricultural Production
Capstone students partnered with the Whidbey Island Organic Farm School (OFS) to support the organization’s mission of sustainable agriculture and public food literacy and educate consumers on the nutritional and environmental benefits of local, organic produce. The team created a suite of deliverables, including Instagram templates, website pages, a pamphlet, and a research report. An...August 20, 2025
Exploring the Potential of On-Campus Community Fridge Implementation
In collaboration with Seattle Community Fridges (SCF) and representatives of the UW Student Technology Fee (STF) Committee, capstone students explored the feasibility of implementing community fridges on the University of Washington Seattle campus to address the growing prevalence of food insecurity among students. Quantitative data were collected via survey to preliminarily assess the prevalence of...Next page