May 5, 2020

Our Food System Today, and Moving Forward

Message from IFSL Program Director, Dr. Jennifer van de Ligt

I'd like to ask each person reading this message to pause a moment and reflect on the incredible job our food system workers have done during the pandemic. You are likely one of them, and I commend you. Without the dedication and resilience of our essential workers, this disruption could be much worse.

Every aspect of our food system is operating differently today than just weeks ago. As the country begins the path to reopening, the food system will begin the path to recovery, while preparing for a potential resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall.

As the recovery unfolds, a new food system will emerge. It will be different from the pre-pandemic food system, with different interconnections, supply chains, operations, and system relationships. Being able to understand, analyze, connect, and leverage these shifting systemic changes will become even more essential in order to ensure a better path and a better future.

We are in this together. We hope that perseverance, lessons learned, and new knowledge gained will make our ‘next generation’ food system stronger. I encourage you to join the IFSL program's pursuit in growing leaders to feed the future. We are here and ready to help the food system be better. 

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For more information about the University of Minnesota’s IFSL Program, visit https://ifsl.umn.edu. IFSL Program applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the next class. Schedule a consultation call for more information.