Growing Forward
The Global Food Institute and Food Tank are proud to present a weekly editorial series by thought leaders that spotlights innovative approaches to the most pressing food and agriculture system challenges. See all pieces in the series:
Together, We Can Build Better Food and Agriculture Systems
May 13, 2025
Read the inaugural essay by GFI's Carbonell Family Executive Director Stacy Dean.
Reimagining Food Systems With Private Sector Innovation
December 23, 2025
Taryn Davis, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement at Cargill, shares the importance of cross-sector collaboration and technical innovation in food and agriculture systems. Innovation at scale advances practical solutions that work for farmers, improve social and environmental outcomes, and move the entire system forward.
From Checkout to Checkup: Reimagining the Role of the Grocery Aisle in Public Health
December 16, 2025
Casey Aden-Wansbury, Instacart's Vice President, Head of Global Public Policy, shares how since launching Instacart Health, the organization worked to bridge the gap between food access and health outcomes by leveraging our technology, partnerships, research, and advocacy.
Interrupting the Burden of Chronic Disease
December 2, 2025
Apurva Patel, the U.S. Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Director at Novo Nordisk Inc., shares why Novo Nordisk launched The Interrupt—a place for like-minded organizations across the private and nonprofit sectors to bring about an integrated, whole health approach.
How Culinary Medicine Could Transform Healthcare: Q&A with Dr. Timothy Harlan on Bringing the Kitchen into Medical Education
November 25, 2025
Dr. Timothy Harlan—a chef turned physician, Associate Professor of Medicine at GW—reflects on how he became involved in culinary medicine, the evidence behind its impact, and what it could mean for the future of healthcare.
Financing Africa’s Food Systems Transformation: Challenges and Pathways to Drive Growth and Nutrition Security Across the Continent
November 18, 2025
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, the President/CEO of the ONE Campaign, shares the need to develop robust pathways to finance Africa's food systems transformation required to truly drive growth and nutrition security.
Putting Food and Farming at the Center of Climate Action: Q&A with Anna Lappé
November 11, 2025
Anna Lappé, the Executive Director of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, discusses the encouraging progress that has been made to bring food and agriculture systems into climate negotiations.
Doing the Right Thing Is Good Business: Q&A with Nishant Roy
November 4, 2025
Nishant Roy, Chief Impact Officer at Chobani, discusses Chobani’s work to alleviate hunger, the trust that is needed to build long-lasting community partnerships, and the business case for doing the right thing.
Sowing Tomorrow: Land Access and the New Generation of Farmers
October 28, 2025
Co-Executive Director Michelle Hughes, Policy Development Director David Howard, and former Land Policy Associate Director Amanda Koehler share the guiding principles behind the National Young Farmers Coalition.
Want a Stronger Food System? Start With Who Owns It
October 21, 2025
Michael Brady is the co-founder of 40 Million Owners, shares how while global food and beverage industry today faces unprecedented challenges – employee ownership, a proven and resilient business structure – is gaining fresh momentum.
Food, Conflict, and the Weaponization of Food
October 14, 2025
Johanna Medelson Forman, founder of the the Conflict Cuisine Project at American University, shares how ending hunger will not be possible without ending the weaponization of food.
The Promise of Urban Agroecology to Enhance Food and Nutrition Security in the 21st Century
October 7, 2025
Mchezaji “Che” Axum, Director of the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education, shares how the urban environment more resilient because it is run for and by the people who reside there.