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By De’Omini Daniely MPP’25
On March 3, 2024, Food Tank partnered with Duke University’s World Food Policy Center to host the “Empowering Eaters: Access, Affordability, Healthy Choices Summit.” During this event, participants had the opportunity to hear from Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, who represents North Carolina’s 4th district, Mayor of Durham Leonardo Williams, and a host of local health and food industry leaders.
Guest speakers from the White House and CDC Foundation shared their insight on initiatives that have been taken to work towards ending child poverty in the U.S. The staffers discussed the “Summer EBT” programs for eligible families with children who may not have access to meals when the school term ends. So far, 37 states and three tribal nations have adopted the program. However, they are still expanding to additional states. They also shared strategies surrounding public-private partnerships and how this can help connect individuals to their partners and resources more efficiently.
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I believe that raising awareness surrounding agricultural and health policies is vital to creating an environment where all Americans have access to healthy food choices. Building a community that supports each other is something that holds the power to transform our nation. This idea made me feel encouraged and empowered to engage with more local organizations that serve the same purpose. I enjoyed learning about the various initiatives being taken to address hunger, nutrition, and health across the nation.
Currently, I serve as a research assistant for the World Food Policy Center, where I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge of consumer behavior in the grocery market, identify key trends, and explore the trajectory of the traditional and online grocery markets. I have also gained insight into how COVID-19 and the cost of groceries have impacted food-insecure populations and how this trend continues to affect nutritional choices.
Attending this event has provided me with valuable insight on the impact of food insecurity across marginalized groups. I hope to use the knowledge and insight gain from this event in my ongoing research within this field.
De’Omini Daniely MPP’25 is a first-year Master of Public Policy student concentrating in International Development Policy and Environmental Policy. She received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia. At Sanford, she focuses on immigration, humanitarian assistance and foreign policy. She is interested in the intersection between immigration, law and environmental justice.