Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic there have been increasing rates of food insecurity in communities throughout the country, often intensified in rural areas. There have also been initiatives to reduce food waste and keep food out of landfills through food redistribution and composting programs. This episode shares collaborative efforts and innovations in food distribution and food waste reduction. Guests: Lindsay Aguilar, RDN, Tucson Unified School District School Foodservice Director; Peter Friederici, MS, Professor & Director, MA Program in Sustainable Communities, Northern Arizona Rural Foods Pathways; Dipa Shah-Patel, MPH, RDN, LA County Department of Public Health
Learning Objectives:
- Describe coordinated efforts for food distribution programs in urban and rural areas.
- Explore the role of apps in facilitating food redistribution.
- Describe programs and key collaborations for reducing food waste and increasing food access in schools.
- Recognize the importance of community perspectives in identifying potential solutions for increasing access to healthy foods.
Target Audience: Public Health Professionals, Food Recovery Organizations, School Personnel
Duration: 33 minutes
Continuing Education Information: 0.5 Category 1 Credits for CHES (no continuing competency credits)
CHES Provider number: 99036Format: Podcast, Self-Study
Recorded: 4/2023
Hosted by: Allison Root, DrPH, MS, RDN, MCHES®
Guest Bios:
Lindsay Aguilar (Registered Dietitian and certified School Nutrition Specialist) is the Director for the Tucson Unified School District Food Services Department. Lindsay has worked at TUSD for over 18 years where she oversees the operations of the various federal child nutrition programs throughout the district and nutrition support services. Lindsay has a passion for child nutrition and the importance of the role of nutrition in education. Lindsay is an active member of the School Nutrition Association, previously serving on the SNAAZ Executive Board, currently serving on the SNA Board of Directors and is a preceptor for multiple dietetic internships. As a Tucson native and alumni of TUSD and U of A, Lindsay feels very fortunate to be able to contribute to the community through the work she does in child nutrition and community partnerships she is privileged to be a part of.
Peter Friederici is a faculty member at Northern Arizona University, where he teaches in the School of Communication and Sustainable Communities Program. His work centers on climate change communication and on sustainable food systems. He is the founder and director of the university's Rural Foods Pathways Project, which conducts applied work on food production and access in Northern Arizona.
Dipa Shah-Patel is the Director of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program in the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention at the LA County Department of Public Health. She’s a seasoned public health administrator with over 20 years of experience implementing nutrition programs to improve the health of low-income, vulnerable communities, especially communities of color. She has been recognized for her leadership in establishing healthy school environments, excellence in public health programs, exceptional media and communications, and health equity.
