Deans’ Food System Challenge Kicks Off at Harvard i-Lab

Each year, the Harvard Innovation Lab administers several Harvard University-wide challenges.  The competitions include the “President’s Challenge” (overseen by Harvard President Drew Faust‘s office) and several “Deans’ Challenges” (each launched by a dean or group of deans at Harvard, aimed at solving specified technical, business, or social problems). 

This year, Harvard Law School and the Harvard T.H. Chan Shool of Public Health are teaming up to launch the Deans’ Food System Challenge.  The Challenge invites students from across Harvard University to develop innovative solutions to make the food system healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable.  The Food System Challenge is based around four discrete topics, all relating to the production, consumption, and distribution of food:

• Producing Sustainable, Nutritious Food;
• Innovating in Food Distribution and Markets;
• Improving our Diet; and
• Reducing Food Waste

To be eligible, teams entering the challenge must include at least one matriculated and degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate Harvard student or Harvard postdoctoral candidate who serves in a leadership role.  Complete information on Challenge eligibility is available here.

HLS Dean Martha Minow will be joined by keynoe speaker Ayr Muir (Harvard Business School graduate and founder of Clover Food Lab), among many others, at the Food System Challenge kickoff on Monday, October 27 from 6-8pm at the i-Lab.  Students interested in entering the challenge and others with interest or expertise in business and social/cultural entrepreneurship around issues relating to food will have the opportunity to network and begin exploring ideas and investigating potential collaborations.  Please register to attend the kickoff here.

If you are unable to attend the kickoff, you will have many opportunities over the course of the year to engage with issues relating to the food system through the University-wide Food Better campaign, which is helping to host events throughout the year about food and our evolving food system.