From September 2018 to February 2019, Emerson Hunger Fellows Cindy Vong and Chesterfield Polkey were placed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read on to hear how they worked with local organizations Pittsburgh Food Policy Council and Just Harvest to strengthen the local food … Read more
Alum Profile: Jessica Luna
Continuing our series of profiles of Hunger Fellow alums, let’s catch up with Jessica Luna. Jessica was an Emerson National Hunger Fellow in the 17th Class, working with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties … Read more
Being a Leader is a Constant Process of Growth and Learning: Alekya Prathivadi and Shelli Grogg
Nearly one in four households in Native American communities experience food insecurity, about double the rate of the average of all U.S. households. For households with children, the rate is higher still. These high rates of food insecurity are tied … Read more
Emerson Hunger Fellows Present Findings on Capitol Hill, Prepare for Policy Placements
Emerson Fellows pose for a photo at Rayburn House Office Building The 25th Class of Emerson National Hunger Fellows gathered at Rayburn House Office Building on Thursday, February 28, to present their findings from their six months spent working to … Read more
Leaving my Footprint of Impactful Change: Yesenia Jimenez and Courtney Colwell
The capital of Massachusetts and the cultural and economic hub of New England, Boston hovers near the top of the list of America’s most expensive cities, driven in part by an expanding tech industry. Increasing costs of living bring increased … Read more
Rich in Resource, History and Power: Paige Milson and Jeremy Arnold
Despite its expanding automotive and aerospace industries and the richness of its agricultural resources, the state of Alabama faces stubborn challenges of poverty, hunger, and inequality. The overall rate of food insecurity in Alabama is 16.5%, with the central and … Read more
Food is a Vehicle to a Better Future: Davis Chhoa and Kiese Hansen
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are the most populous cities in the state of Minnesota and combined form the third-largest metropolitan area in the American Midwest. Kiese Hansen and Davis Chhoa are the latest Emerson Hunger Fellows … Read more
A Community’s Ingenuity and Pride: Lakeisha Perkins and Mackenzie Aime
At the southernmost tip of West Virginia, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, is McDowell County. Once dubbed “the heart of America’s coal bin,” the decline of the mining industry in the area has led to a pervasive economic downturn and … Read more
Report from Mid-Field Retreat: the Emerson Fellows in New Orleans
Members of the 25th Class of Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows outside the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal in New Orleans, October 2018. In October 2018, the 25th Class of Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows traveled to … Read more
Tracking Successes Beyond Transactions: Roxana Rodriguez and Kat Vang
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona serves an area of five counties in Southern Arizona, including Pima County and its seat, Tucson. Established in 1975, the Food Bank has expanded to seven locations and distributes 65,000 meals daily. Beyond … Read more
Alum Profile: David Blount
Readers of this blog will be familiar with our profiles of current Emerson and Leland Hunger Fellows and their work for food and nutrition security across the country and around the globe. But once their fellowship is concluded, what kind … Read more
Field Site Spotlight: Pierre Collins and Katie Starr
Kingston is a small, historic New England village in southern Rhode Island, as well as the site of the main campus of the University of Rhode Island. It’s also the home of the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free … Read more