Angie Tagtow, MS, RD, LD, recommends several resources for readers interested in learning more about the links among food systems and environmental and public health.

Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, Volume 4

Special Issue: Food Systems and Public Health - Linkages to Achieve Healthier Diets and Healthier Communities

The Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition proudly presents a special double issue titled “Food Systems and Public Health: Linkages to Achieve Healthier Diets and Healthier Communities.”  Co-edited by Mary Story, PhD, RD, of the University of Minnesota, Michael Hamm, PhD, of Michigan State University, and David Wallinga, MD, of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, this special double issue identifies research opportunities to develop successful interventions within agriculture, food and health systems as well as policies and actions for moving towards and achieving community environments that allow healthier diets and reducing obesity. This dynamic collection of articles was the outcome of a conference held in April 2009 that focused on the food system, food, agriculture and agriculture policy which was central to a discussion on healthy diets and obesity prevention. More than 80 leading thinkers nationwide from the health, nutrition, obesity and health policy domains together with those from the sustainable agriculture, economics and agriculture policy sectors participated in this robust dialog.

Special Issue: Sustainable Food Systems - Perspectives from the United States, Canada and the European Union

This special issue of the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition showcases food system experts from the United States, Canada and the European Union.  The authors provide their analyses of the global food system infrastructure and offer alternatives for creating a food system  that is ecologically sound, socially just, economically viable, and ensures that all eaters have regular access to fresh and healthy food.  This collection of articles explores how food and agriculture decisions determine the quality, quantity and biodiversity of the food supply. This rich set of articles can further stimulate critical thinking, discussion, research and public policy development.  This issue can be used as a companion piece for undergraduate and graduate coursework, a compendium for academic audiences, and a reference for pubic policy advisors, organizations and sustainable food system advocates.

This educational piece was developed by Angie Tagtow, MS, RD, LD, and Alison Harmon, PhD, RD, CN, to support continuing education activities for dietitians. It is used with an online e-learning module with the American Dietetic Association, Continuing Professional Development.

Angie Tagtow, MS, RD, LD, and Arnell Hinkle, MPH, RD, CHES, were Food and Society Policy Fellows with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and co-authored this educational piece for the 2008 APHA Annual Meeting.