Vision & Mission
Our vision is to contribute to an equitable food system that gives everyone an equal chance for access to good health.
Our mission is to catalyze equitable transformations in food systems by conducting groundbreaking interdisciplinary research focused on food policy, social and structural determinants of health, and diet-related diseases.
Our Research
Overarching Focus
The overarching goal of the program is to apply systems thinking, policy-relevant, community-engaged, and equity-oriented research to tackle chronic disease and food insecurity in families.
A large portion of our research has been conducted in the restaurant environment, since restaurant meals contribute substantially to excess calorie intake. A third of adults and children eat out at quick service restaurants daily, and approximately half of the US food dollar is spent on food outside of the home. Restaurants, therefore, represent a critical target environment for chronic disease prevention efforts. In recent years, we have also expanded our research program to focus on health equity and food insecurity through collaborations with community partners.
Community Partners
Our work would not be possible without the support of the Mountain Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security and their governing board organizations that work to support folks in Eagle, Pitkin, and Garfield Counties.
- Garfield County
- Eagle County
- Eagle Valley Community Foundation
- Uproot
- Lift Up
- Food Bank of the Rockies
- City of Aspen
- S.A.N.A.
- Human Services, Pitkin County
- Valley Meals and More
- West Mountain Regional Health Alliance
- Harvest for Hunger