A collection of scholarly work from the students, faculty and staff of The Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems. Lead by Executive Director, Kathleen Merrigan, the focus of the Center’s research is on developing innovative ideas and solutions to the many challenges of current food systems. Our mission is to drive social progress, economic productivity and ecosystem resilience through food system transformation.

 

Displaying 1 - 10 of 16
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With increasing climate impacts predicted across the globe, many see soil carbon storage and sequestration as an opportunity to reduce atmospheric carbon and mitigate climate change. This report assesses the current opportunities for Minnesota agriculture and proposes solutions, policies, and management practices for these markets to benefit farmers and Minnesota’s

With increasing climate impacts predicted across the globe, many see soil carbon storage and sequestration as an opportunity to reduce atmospheric carbon and mitigate climate change. This report assesses the current opportunities for Minnesota agriculture and proposes solutions, policies, and management practices for these markets to benefit farmers and Minnesota’s agricultural sector

ContributorsCruz, Angel (Dr.) (Author) / Foote, Devin (Author) / Janosy, Alaine (Author) / Poirier, Katie (Author) / VanVranken, Annalise (Author)
Created2020-08
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The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of current ranching and slaughter capacities in Hawaiʻi, highlight relevant regulations and identify missing elements, offer case studies of similar operations and their procedures, and provide recommendations that Hōkūnui might consider in their pursuit to expand their slaughter capacity, while

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of current ranching and slaughter capacities in Hawaiʻi, highlight relevant regulations and identify missing elements, offer case studies of similar operations and their procedures, and provide recommendations that Hōkūnui might consider in their pursuit to expand their slaughter capacity, while processing slaughter waste safely and sustainably

ContributorsFarlee, Cindy (Author) / Kelley, Ali (Author) / Rotner, Emma (Author) / Shoyinka, Nakasha (Author) / Wyman, Carly (Author)
Created2020-08
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This report assesses the barriers faced by ranching clients and potential clients of the National Resources Conservation Service in Arizona and highlights opportunities for mitigating those challenges in the future

ContributorsBroussard, Elizabeth (Author) / Lemon, Sarah (Author) / McClelland, Kelly (Author) / Moore, Karli (Author) / Yetman, Kathleen (Author)
Created2020-08
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This report is a compilation of opportunities for organic innovation and deep dives on specific opportunities that may be of interest for the Organic Trade Association, or others, to pursue as distinct initiatives

Created2020-08
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Thirty years ago, Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. The law established strict national standards for organic food and a public-private enforcement program to ensure compliance with the law. Today, the organic industry still faces a number of challenges. This report

Thirty years ago, Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. The law established strict national standards for organic food and a public-private enforcement program to ensure compliance with the law. Today, the organic industry still faces a number of challenges. This report seeks to address some of these and to provide policy recommendations to better support the growing organic industry and its positive impacts on human health, on the economy, and on climate.

Created2021-06
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This report reviews and analyzes how ranking and certification systems have an impact on the sustainable food systems used by food service providers across higher education institutions (HEIs). This analysis includes a review of the most common metrics used in higher education sustainability ranking and certification systems, as well as

This report reviews and analyzes how ranking and certification systems have an impact on the sustainable food systems used by food service providers across higher education institutions (HEIs). This analysis includes a review of the most common metrics used in higher education sustainability ranking and certification systems, as well as how assessment guidelines are determined initially and amended over time. The positive, negative, and unintended consequences of these programs are also considered as we explore ways that these sustainability metrics can meet the challenges required for a sustainable future.
ContributorsBenard, Nicholas (Author) / Lip, Stephanie (Author) / Ross, Eleanor (Author) / Ryan, Michael (Author) / Seybold, Kate (Author) / Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems (Issuing body) / Aramark Corporation (Issuing body)
Created2022-10
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As record-breaking drought conditions continue year after year in Arizona, the state needs to act now to fully protect its limited water resources. While current dialogue focuses on issues of water quantity in Arizona, with limited quantity of water resources water quality becomes even more important. Farmers are a major

As record-breaking drought conditions continue year after year in Arizona, the state needs to act now to fully protect its limited water resources. While current dialogue focuses on issues of water quantity in Arizona, with limited quantity of water resources water quality becomes even more important. Farmers are a major user of water, and there remains a lot of room for improvement in agricultural water usage. This report researched existing water quality programs and voluntary state agricultural water quality initiatives both in Arizona and throughout the United States to propose policy and program recommendations for agricultural water management in Arizona.
ContributorsDeJovine, Zac (Author) / Dy, Jillian (Author) / Freeberg, Ami (Author) / Kaplan, Shelby (Author) / Sadler, Deborah (Author) / Wazenn, Nithesh (Author) / Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems (Issuing body)
Created2022-09
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More than 10 million visitors traveled to Hawaiʻi in 2019, placing an enormous strain on a food system already burdened by a disproportionate reliance on imported food. Agritourism may be one solution for farmers to diversify their income, increase consumption of locally produced food, and connect farmers to local consumers.

More than 10 million visitors traveled to Hawaiʻi in 2019, placing an enormous strain on a food system already burdened by a disproportionate reliance on imported food. Agritourism may be one solution for farmers to diversify their income, increase consumption of locally produced food, and connect farmers to local consumers. But in a place with such a robust tourism infrastructure, how can it be responsibly implemented and utilized in a way that benefits local farmers, residents, the environment, and rural and Native Hawaiian culture? This report endeavors to answer this question through a comprehensive examination of agritourism in the islands as it exists today, and by providing recommendations for agritourism in Hawaiʻi going forward.
Created2023-04
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Investigation of how digitalization of agriculture and agrifood systems affect local and regional food systems

ContributorsConner, Wesley (Author) / Kitzmiller, Brandee (Author) / Miller, Kana (Author) / Mollen, Paige (Author) / Rochelle, Mary (Author) / Snowaert, Joe (Author) / VanVranken, Annalise (Author) / Yoder, Isabel (Author) / TMG Think Tank for Sustainability (Client)
Created2021-09
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Meatless Monday is an initiative that encourages actionable steps toward the reduction of meat consumption by asking participants to eat meat-free on Mondays. Many organizations, cities, schools, and correctional facilities have implemented Meatless Monday initiatives as a push to improve environmental sustainability, human health, and the welfare of animals. Such

Meatless Monday is an initiative that encourages actionable steps toward the reduction of meat consumption by asking participants to eat meat-free on Mondays. Many organizations, cities, schools, and correctional facilities have implemented Meatless Monday initiatives as a push to improve environmental sustainability, human health, and the welfare of animals. Such initiatives provide an opportunity to educate consumers on the health benefits of a plant-forward diet, the environmental impact of meat production, animal welfare issues, the innovation of non-meat proteins, and to engage stakeholders in gaining more control over their food choices. This report offers a summary of seven Meatless Monday initiatives throughout the U.S., highlighting best practices and notable challenges of implementing and maintaining such an initiative in three different contexts: local government, school systems, and non-profit or volunteer-led organizations. This report was conducted through an extensive look at previous research, news articles, and marketing materials, as well as interviews with stakeholders in six mid-sized U.S. cities.

ContributorsAlvarado, Francisca (Author) / Coghlan, Jane (Author) / Cooper, Dory (Author) / Petersen, Cam (Author) / Wyman, Carly (Contributor) / Giraud, Esteve Gaelle (Contributor) / Dart, Jesse (Contributor) / Benard, Nick (Contributor) / Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (Client) / Meatless Monday (Client) / Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems (Contributor)
Created2022-04-01