Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems

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Tempe, AZ
Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems

Creating a sustainable future of food through research, education, partnerships, and policy solutions 🌎

ASU’s Food Systems Transformation Initiative (FSTI) works to ensure food security by enhancing equity, efficiency and resilience of food systems locally and globally. We engage through unique collaborations and partnerships that demonstrate community-based social embeddedness and global transformational impact simultaneously. We do so in order to deliver innovative, real-world solutions in public

health, governance, technology, and policy. Our Goal
We combat hunger and food insecurity by driving a use-inspired, transdisciplinary research agenda focused on scalable solutions that enable equitable participation in food systems worldwide.

08/12/2026

We have another Indigenous Waffle Gardening event coming up in collaboration with Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community! 🌽🫘

Led by Diné educator and ASU student leader Chandlee Begay, attendees will plant seeds for corn, beans, and squash using the Zuni waffle method, a soil formation technique developed by the Indigenous peoples of Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico. Crops are planted inside beds with waffle-like earthen walls, which aids in water retention and helps crops thrive in hot and dry conditions.

Event details:
📍 1691 N Longmore Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
📆 Friday, September 4th
🕑 8:00 - 10:00 AM

RSVP and get more details here: https://buff.ly/qoJCxn1

08/06/2026

We're delighted to formally introduce our deputy director, Christopher Neubert!

After nearly five years working on food and agriculture policy in Congress, Chris joined our team last fall to focus more on the long-term challenges facing food systems through research, teaching, and strategic leadership alongside our executive director, Kathleen Merrigan.

We recently sat down with him to briefly discuss his career thus far and his advice for students interested in sustainability.

Read the conversation here: https://buff.ly/Vqlwe23

07/20/2026

Mahalo nui Maui Nui! 💚🥥

Our hearts are full after an incredible Maui ʻAha Niu Festival. Seeing hundreds of community members from keiki to kūpuna come together to celebrate niu (coconut) reminded us just how much this tree of life means to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. 122 coconut trees were adopted by the community to plant!

Thank you to everyone who shared their ʻike and to every attendee, volunteer, cultural practitioner, presenter, vendor, and partner organization who made the first-ever ʻAha Niu: Maui Nui Coconut Celebration Festival possible.

07/14/2026

Food systems planning is more important than ever in Hawaiʻi. 🌴

Our team members in Hawaiʻi collaborated with the University of Hawaiʻi Ke Ō Mau Center for Sustainable Island Food Systems to publish a white paper exploring the ways that an integrated policy approach can transform Hawaiʻi’s food system.

Hawaiʻi faces many challenges in food and agriculture, including high rates of food insecurity and health inequity, reliance on food imports, and declining agricultural value affecting farmer livelihoods.

Research shows that holistic approaches, such as integrated food policy, to these interdependent issues are more effective than piecemeal solutions. Our hope is that this paper will encourage local policymakers to consider multifaceted solutions in developing a long-term food systems plan for Hawaiʻi.

🔗 Read the white paper here:https://transforminghawaiifoodsystem.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Why-Food-Systems-Planning-Now_V3_3.4.pdf

07/10/2026

Fall internship opportunity exclusively for undergraduate students in the ASU School of Sustainability! 📣🌱💼

Through our USDA NextGen program, we’re offering internships designed to build real-world skills, provide meaningful experience, and help you launch a career in sustainable food systems.

Internship sites span a variety of sectors, including urban and organic agriculture, Indigenous foodways, water management, and government service.

Key details:
💰 Compensation: $17/hour
⏱️ Hours: 10-20 hours/week
⌛ Duration: Fall 2026 semester
📍 Format: In-person, remote, or hybrid

Learn more and apply by 11:59pm on July 20th: https://www.myworkday.com/asu/d/inst/15$158872/9925$24089.htmld

07/08/2026

This spring, we collaborated with Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation to host the first-ever Arizona Organic Gathering to celebrate and show appreciation for the farmers, ranchers, and partners who make up our state’s vibrant organic community. 🌿🍊🐮

Throughout the day, we heard inspiring stories from local producers about their organic journeys, discussed evolving markets, and shared our visions for the future of organic in Arizona.

We also welcomed special guests Walter Robb, former CEO of Whole Foods Market; Mark Lipson, former USDA Organic Policy Advisor; and Jessy Beckett Parr, Chief Program Officer at CCOF Organic, who reflected on the progress of the organic movement and the opportunities ahead.

Along with many panels, the gathering included an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding mentors and mentees from our Arizona Transition to Organic Partnership Program, as well as supportive remarks from the Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Paul Brierley, during the evening reception.

We’re honored to call these producers and partners our friends as we continue growing organic agriculture in Arizona together!

07/06/2026

From unpredictable weather and long hours to fluctuating markets and financial uncertainty, farming can place a heavy mental load on agricultural producers.

To help support farmer mental health and well-being, we’re hosting a webinar with Monica McConkey, a renowned Rural Behavioral Health Counselor and Consultant.

Participants will gain access to practical tools, resources, and support tailored to the realities of farming. They will also have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one session with Monica to discuss their individual needs and circumstances.

👉 Register here: bit.ly/topp-mentalhealth

07/01/2026

We recently road-tripped to Shiprock, New Mexico, to host a meaningful workshop in collaboration with Rodale Institute and local Indigenous partners, including Dii IINÀ/SteamCorn Punk, Bidii Baby Foods, and Navajo-Churro Lamb & Mutton Presidium.

During the workshop, we had honest discussions about organic farming on native lands and the challenges surrounding organic certification. Presentations included resources and insights from Diné College’s Land Grant Office, Santa Ana Agricultural Enterprises, and Native Agriculture Financial Services.

Additionally, Diné shepherd and weaver Roy Kady led an enlightening demonstration of traditional planting sticks, which have been used in Indigenous gardens and farms for centuries.

We also want to give a huge shout-out to Danielle Goldtooth and her team (Dii IINÀ/Steamcorn Punk) for an incredibly delicious lunch of Navajo-Churro mutton, squash, and blue corn!

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who welcomed us, shared their time and wisdom, and helped make this event happen. Our team is excited to continue building these relationships and working together to support Indigenous foodways! 🌽🐑🌳🌻

06/18/2026

📣 If you missed the last info session about our graduate programs, you’re in luck!

We'll be hosting a second session this month to share detailed information about our MS in Sustainable Food Systems and Graduate Certificate in Food Policy and Sustainability Leadership. Applications for these online programs are still open for Fall 2026, and generous scholarships remain available to cover majority of tuition!

During this webinar, you’ll hear about:
- Curriculum and program structure
- Scholarship opportunities
- Career pathways
- Admission processes and tips
- Insights from faculty and students

🔗 Register here: https://buff.ly/GGdmBEh

[pictured: Student Callum Verstrate during our 2024 Food and Farm Immersive]

06/17/2026

Our 2026 Food Policy Immersion is in the books! 🏛️📚

Each spring, we take our graduate students to Washington, DC for a jam-packed week of meetings with leaders who are writing, influencing, and implementing food and agriculture policy. This valuable experience gives students a comprehensive, firsthand understanding of the legislative and political processes that drive federal policymaking.

This year, we were fortunate to meet with 45 professionals, ranging from senior staff on Capitol Hill and economic researchers at USDA to award-winning journalists and advocacy leaders. We also partook in various excursions such as volunteering with DC Central Kitchen and touring the FOOD exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Our trip was particularly timely as the new farm bill had just passed the House days before our arrival, giving students the exciting opportunity to discuss this long-awaited piece of legislation directly with the experts shaping and analyzing it.

Until next year, DC!

👉 Interested in joining our next cohort of graduate students? Learn more here and register for our next info session on June 30th — https://globalfutures.asu.edu/food/graduate/

Address

777 E University Drive
Tempe, AZ
85281

Website

https://globalfutures.asu.edu/food/

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