Solution Area - Food
This Food Solution Area seeks to address key challenges in food system sustainability. Projects may address any issue that is centered on food systems. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, climate-resilient food systems, the true cost of food, blue foods, food innovation ecosystems, and emissions reductions.
Co-Chairs: David Lobell & Jim Leape
Phase: Integrative Project proposals in review
Climate-resilient school feeding programs as a lever for food-systems change
PI: Jennifer Burney, Professor of Environmental Social Sciences and of Earth System Science, and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
Co-PI: Rosamond Naylor, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Social Sciences
School feeding programs are an important part of the social safety net in most countries. Because school meals are extremely beneficial and cost-effective, global momentum to feed every child on Earth at school is growing; however, the climate risk exposures of these programs – and, conversely, opportunities for resilience – are not well-characterized. Our team is working with on-the-ground experts around the world to: (a) model and monitor the climate vulnerability of school feeding programs; (b) rigorously evaluate procurement policies that might generate resilience in this social safety net; and (c) help policymakers and program leaders implement changes that help unlock the full potential of school meals to sustainably nourish the world’s youth.”
Solution Area: Food
Solutions for crop resilience in changing climate and pathogen pressure
PI: Elizabeth Sattely, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering
Co-PIs: Jenn Brophy, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering; Jennifer Burney, Professor of Environmental Social Sciences and of Earth System Science, and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies; and Mary Beth Mudgett, Susan B. Ford Professor of Biology
We are a team of scientists with expertise in plant systems, including economics of food security and climate change, molecular basis of crop-pathogen interactions, chemistry of plant natural products and synthetic biology of plant adaptation to stress. Together, we are dedicated to tackling crop resilience under changing climate and pathogen pressures. We have chosen three project ideas under this theme – developing pathogen resistant and climate resilient orphan crops, reducing allelopathy in cover crops, and reducing aflatoxin contamination in food. We plan to study these ideas and develop potential solutions, with the goal to emerge with a single project plan to implement with international stakeholders.
Solution Area: Food
True Cost of Food: California as a Testbed for Exploring Pathways to Reduce Meat and Animal Product Consumption
PI: Deborah Sivas, Luke W. Cole Professor in Environmental Law and Professor of Environmental Social Sciences
Co-PIs: Michael Wara, Senior Research Scholar, Woods Institute for the Environment; Michael Mastrandrea, Senior Research Scholar, Woods Institute for the Environment; Elizabeth Sattely, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering; Aidee Guzman, Assistant Professor of Biology; Leo Hollberg, Professor (research) of Physics and Geophysics; Alison Hoyt, Assistant Professor of Earth System Science; Maya Mathur, Associate Professor (research) of Pediatrics and Medicine; Robb Willer, Professor of Sociology; and Vayu Hill-Maini, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering
Climate, public health, and animal welfare concerns demand that wealthy nations reduce their consumption of meat and animal products. Industrial animal agriculture is heavily subsidized through a variety tax incentives, commodity purchases, and other hidden transfers, including failure to internalize the industry’s environmental, social, and human health costs, which are largely “out of sight, out of mind.” Making those substantial costs and subsidies visible to the public and policymakers is a critical step to nudging personal behavior modifications, reforming public policies that contribute to high meat and animal product consumption in the U.S., and creating a level playing field for emerging meat alternatives.
Solution Area: Food
Replanting the food system at scale: Evaluating Mexico’s flagship agroforestry program, Sembrando Vida
PI: Aidee Guzman, Assistant Professor of Biology
This project evaluates Mexico’s flagship agroforestry program, Sembrando Vida, which is converting millions of hectares of farmland into tree-based systems to address climate change and rural poverty. Despite its scale, little is known about its true ecological and social impacts. Through geospatial mapping and community engagement, we will develop partnerships and co-design a research framework to assess the impact of large-scale agroforestry on ecosystems, livelihoods, and markets. The work will provide key insights into whether programs like Sembrando Vida can serve as models for building climate-resilient, equitable food systems globally.
Solution Area: Food
Apply for a Solution Area - Integrative Projects grant
Stanford faculty may learn how to engage with the Solution Area communities and grant process through the school’s Faculty Funding Opportunities on the intranet or reach out to Sarah Sandoval.