Economic Development
Economies thrive when citizens are healthy. Nutrition is an economic development requirement and when implemented right, healthy diets will increase competitiveness at the community, company, and national levels.
To ensure an equitable evolution of a nutrition-centered food system, a vital strategy lies in connecting economic development and entrepreneurship to nutrition. This approach aims to template successful economic development models and apply them to the food system, with a specific focus on nutrition security and equity, recognizing that a competitive workforce is a healthy workforce and drives a healthy economy.
By prioritizing key data and metrics, this interdisciplinary group seeks to identify crucial gaps and design solutions that guarantee affordable and accessible culturally relevant foods for diverse populations within an economic development framework. The integration of entrepreneurship is central to sustainably addressing nutrition challenges and ensuring that those in need can access suitable food options as it empowers local entrepreneurs in place-based transformation. Moreover, exploring the potential of public-private partnerships further advances the goal of achieving nutrition security for all. Through the collaboration of diverse stakeholders, this strategy paves the way for a thriving food system that positively impacts economic development and fosters nutrition security across communities.
Overview
Co-Chair: Annie Duong-Turner, John Hancock Life Insurance
Co-Chair: Tambra Stevenson, WANDA
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Julian Agyeman, Dept. of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts
Outputs
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- Framework for public private partnership to address economic development and nutrition security (Julia Hesse-Fong, 2022)
- Working paper: Food Tech Solutions to Address Nutrition Security, A Review of Entrepreneurship Driven Approaches, Julia Hess-Fong, 2023 (publication pending)
Members
Apurva Patel
Apurva Patel
Carolina Loya
Carolina Loya
Chavanne Hanson
Chavanne Hanson
Cheryl Toner
Cheryl Toner
Dan Wexler
Dan Wexler
David Waters
David Waters
Fred Laforge
Fred Laforge
Jean Terranova
Jean Terranova
Josh Trautwein
Josh Trautwein
Judy Seybold
Judy Seybold
Katherine Soll
Katherine Soll
Kelsey Freeman
Kelsey Freeman
Mark Brand
Mark Brand
Mattie Roesler
Mattie Roesler
Natalie Bomstad
Natalie Bomstad
Nicole Heckman
Nicole Heckman
Nicole Ninteau
Nicole Ninteau
Nicolene Hengen
Nicolene Hengen
Nora LaTorre
Nora LaTorre
Richa Mattu
Richa Mattu
Sara Eckhouse
Sara Eckhouse
Stephanie Goodwin
Stephanie Goodwin
Tambra Stevenson
Tambra Stevenson
Weslee Glenn
Weslee Glenn
