Utah Food Security Council
This council is the result of Senate Bill 133: Food Security Amendments. The Food Security Council is housed at Utah State University and is responsible to coordinate statewide efforts that build food security. The goals of the FSC is are:
1. develop statewide goals and messaging related to food security and nutrition education.
2. coordinate statewide efforts to address food security.
3. ensure that any state programs receiving federal funds from the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service provide consistent and coordinated nutrition education messaging.
4. promote programs and activities that contribute to healthy eating and active lifestyles.
5. promote programs and activities that advance Utah food products.
6. disseminate the statewide goals and messaging to state agencies.
Hunger Solutions in Utah
A new podcast highlighting the work being done to combat hunger across the state of Utah. Join Dr. Palak Gupta, USU Assistant Professor and Hunger Solutions Institute Co-Director, as she speaks with local leaders and workers striving to end food insecurity in Utah. In each short episode, you'll hear inspiring stories, learn about grassroots initiatives, impactful programs, and how you can contribute to the cause through donations, volunteer work, or spreading awareness in your own community.
NourishTank Student Competition
NourishTank is an annual student competition hosted at Utah State University to foster innovation, collaboration, and sustainable solutions to combat hunger. The mission is to provide a platform for emerging entrepreneurs and change-makers to showcase groundbreaking ideas that tackle food insecurity and malnutrition. Through a SharkTank-style event, this student competition aims to strengthen student dedication and invent in hunger solutions that create lasting impact, ensuring a nourished and food-secure future for all.
Utah State University Food Security and Hunger Solutions Symposium
An annual symposium hosted by Utah State University where Utah's leading voices in food security deliver inspiring keynotes, students and faculty showcase groundbreaking research and projects, and attendees connect over poster presentations, lightning talks, and networking sessions. The event provides valuable opportunities for student scholars to learn and explore internships, volunteer roles, and job opportunities.
Utah State University Student Nutrition Access Center
The Student Nutrition Access Center is the Utah State University on-campus food pantry. The mission of SNAC is to provide nutritious food and personal care products to any Aggie experiencing food insecurity and financial difficulties. Canned and nonperishable food is donated by the Cache Community Food Pantry and the Utah Food Bank. Fresh produce in the summer and fall comes from the Utah Conservation Corps Urban Community Farm, Cache Community Gleaning, and local farmers and gardeners. Students can order from SNAC one time per week as needed with a USU ID, no questions asked.
NourishSmart
NourishSmart is a Utah State University Hunger Solutions Institute program designed to address hunger and food waste in communities across Utah. This program offers various resources and tools to enable people of all ages, especially youth, to more effectively reduce food waste and mitigate food insecurity. With a focus on source reduction, NourishSmart provides new learning experiences and content to all who interact with the program.
NourishEd
The NourishEd program combines the strengths of both direct education and policy, systems, and environment (PSE) work to form a comprehensive approach to improve food and nutrition security for families. The program provides produce boxes supplied by local growers to participants in various Create Better Health (CBH) direct education courses.
NourishBox
NourishBox is a collaborative effort by Utah State University Hunger Solutions Institute and Create Better Health (Utah SNAP-Ed). The program is designed to address hunger and food waste at the community level. NourishBoxes are weather- and animal-proof structures strategically placed within communities to store food and other essential items for those in need. Designed with accessibility and dignity in mind, these structures foster a culture of community care with a guiding principle of Take What you Need, Give What You Can.
NourishCommunities
More information to come
Presidents United to Solve Hunger
Utah State University was the first college in Utah to join an initiative that unites universities to work toward increasing food security. The Presidents United to Solve Hunger (PUSH) campaign provides university presidents and students with resources they need to help commit their universities to a food-and-nutrition-secure world.
Utah Breakfast Expansion Team
Utah Breakfast Expansion Team (UBET) was formed in 2014 in response to the state’s consistently low participation in the School Breakfast Program (SBP); Utah currently ranks last in the nation. UBET is collaboration of: Utahns Against Hunger; Utah State Board of Education Child Nutrition Programs; Utah State University Extension-Create Better Health; Utah State University Extension Salt Lake County; Utah State University Extension-Wayne County; School Nutrition Association of Utah; Dairy Council of Utah & Nevada; Utah Department of Health-Healthy Living Through Environment, Policy & Improved Clinic Care Program; Brigham Young University-Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science; Brigham Young University-Department of Health Sciences; Granite Education Association.
Universities Fighting World Hunger
Auburn University Hunger Solutions Institute created UFWH as a global network of universities working in partnership to amplify the voice of the rising generation -- a voice calling for a world free from hunger and malnutrition. UFWH is a catalyst mobilizing institutions of higher education to collaborate in a grassroots student campaign and an all-disciplines academic agenda to end hunger locally and globally.
Utah's State Nutrition Action Coalition
SNAC allows agencies with similar nutrition and wellness missions to leverage resources and knowledge, and reduces duplication of efforts, ultimately increasing the reach and impact of all the agencies involved. Its mission is to unite Utah agencies to improve food security, nutrition, and health for Utahns.
Miracle of Agriculture Foundation
In both the good and hard times, Utah Farmers have been passionate about feeding people. While the pandemic-born supply chain issues that inspired us to connect Utahns in need with safe and locally-grown food have somewhat alleviated, the fact remains: thousands of hungry Utahns still need help. Rather than calling it a day, our donors, farmers and volunteers remain dedicated to alleviating hunger. This program is a partnership between the Utah Farm Bureau and multiple statewide partnerships, including the Hunger Solutions Institute and Cogburn Wire Company. The Utah Farm Bureau’s mission is to inspire all Utah families to connect, succeed and grow through the ‘Miracle of Agriculture.'
NEEM: Nutrition Education Ending Malnutrition
The developmental, economic, social, and medical impacts of malnutrition are serious and lasting for individuals, their families, communities, and countries. It is a global issue requiring world-wide effort to solve. NEEM works with partner organizations in-country to provide nutrition education to people seeking refuge from malnutrition, poverty, and persecution. Visit the NEEM website to learn how you can get involved.
Contact Us
Hunger Solutions Institute
USU Extension Program
8749 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-8749
Connect With Us
- USU Hunger Solutions Institute Facebook
- USU Hunger Solutions Institute X
- USU Hunger Solutions Institute Instagram