Crystal Owings

GFI Fellow - Class of 2015

Undergraduate Student, Environmental Studies,
Minor in Latin American and Latino Studies
UC Santa Cruz

Project

Fostering Equity and Inclusion: Food Security Efforts at UC Santa Cruz and Beyond

Description/Goals

As the student fellow for the UC Santa Cruz campus, I served as a key organizer for the inaugural California Higher Education Food Summit and am active with the UC Santa Cruz Food Security Task Force. The food summit aimed to strengthen partnerships between UC's, California State University, California Community Colleges and community partners while sharing best practices and experiences to inform action steps toward fostering food access, equity and justice for all. The three-day summit included workshops, speakers and activities of all levels for individuals to engage with critical issues while building skills and relationships to implement change on their college campuses and their surrounding communities. Outcomes of GFI Food Security and Access Subcommittee sessions held at the food summit include securing more funding for each UC campus and activating food security task forces at each campus. UC Santa Cruz is working to harness our current resources and partnerships while initiating food security-based research labs in order to develop a holistic food security center to serve students.

View poster (PDF)

Future Plans

As a graduating senior, I do intend to be in communication with Tim Galarneau in regards to the committee and campus task force. I also am more interested in working for organizations that work to relieve food security.

Mentor

Tim Galarneau