Changing the World Through the Power of Food
The Global Food Institute
at the George Washington University
Powered by interdisciplinary research and teaching across policy, innovation, and humanity, the Global Food Institute at GW will work to transform people’s lives and the health of our planet.
Explore Our Courses & Minor in Food Leadership
Join the Global Food Institute’s transformative Food Leadership Minor and develop the expertise needed to drive sustainable change. Our 18-credit program blends classroom learning with immersive experiences in policy, innovation, nutrition, and sustainability, preparing you to tackle global food challenges.
Explore upcoming Spring 2027 courses, with opportunities for hands-on learning both locally and abroad.
Latest News & Updates
GFI's Priya Fielding-Singh and Darcy Cherlin on the Hidden Costs of Food Assistance Cuts (STAT)
November 11, 2026
As high food costs and cuts to food assistance squeeze families' budgets, concerns are growing about whether low-income parents will be able to keep putting food on the table. GFI's Priya Fielding-Singh and Darcy Cherlin share in an op-ed how these financial pressures threaten to do more than increase hunger.
GW's Barbara Kowalcyk on What Influences Food Costs (Food and Wine)
November 10, 2026
GW's Barbara Kowalcyk shares how supply and productivity aren’t the only factors that influence food costs. rices include what it costs to get that egg to your grocery store. That includes fuel costs and worker availability.” Unfortunately, fuel costs are now particularly high.
GW's Rob van Dam Shares Insights on FDA's New Labeling Recommendations for Caffeine in Drinks (Spectrum)
November 6, 2026
Rob van Dam, who studies caffeine at The George Washington University, said it’s hard for people to monitor how much caffeine they consume. “If it is labeled, we don't know for certain whether that's really correct. There's nobody really checking if that amount of caffeine is really in there,” van Dam said. “Across the board, I think there should be clarity about the amount of caffeine in these beverages because it's very variable.”
