Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the juxtaposition of food abundance…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the juxtaposition of food abundance and food insecurity on college campuses is astonishing. While much usable food is wasted in foodservice establishments, food insecurity challenges on college campuses persist. FOOD4VOLS, a food-upcycling program on a college campus, demonstrated its effectiveness in improving campus food security and reducing food waste while presenting an opportunity to teach food security. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to develop a food security certificate program. Aligning with HEC program goal #1, this project aims to strengthen institutional capacities by developing a certificate program curriculum with instructional support materials for well-identified food and agricultural science educational needs in food security. Specifically, we aim to (a) promote innovative teaching of food insecurity challenges and practical solutions to students majoring in food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences (fanh), (b) prepare and pilot-test a food-upcycling program on three collaborating institutions as a laboratory course modeling FOOD4VOLS, and (c) disseminate developed courses and instructional support materials via online repository for other programs to utilize. Deliverables include (a) formal courses for the food security certificate (e.g., syllabi, educational modules, references, and other student engagement strategies), (b) an operation manual for a food-upcycling program, and (c) a resource website to share developed materials, which will extend the project's reach beyond the funding period. Key outcomes include (a) increased food security knowledge of faculty and students in various disciplines, (b) increased frequency and duration of food security education, and (c) ultimately, reduced food insecurity on college campuses and beyond.