HEALTHY FOODS, HEALTHY LIVES Institute
ABOUT THE HFHL INSTITUTE
Founded in 2007, the mission of the HFHL Institute is to increase and sustain the University’s impact in the interdisciplinary arena of food, agriculture and health by building the University’s capacity in research, learning and community engagement. The integration of agriculture and health sciences with a focus on food undergirds the Institute’s four priority areas: food safety, prevention of obesity and chronic disease, food policy and food security. At its core, the HFHL Institute is interdisciplinary. The interdisciplinary nature of the Institute’s work could not be accomplished within a single department or college. Our 25-member Advisory Board is made up of faculty members from the Institute’s founding units including the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), the School of Public Health (SPH), College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), the Medical School, and U of M Extension as well as from additional units including the Colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing, Design and Liberal Arts.
CONTACT US HFHL.UMN.EDU
Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives (HFHL) Institute University of Minnesota
IMPROVING HEALTH THROUGH FOOD
1334 Eckles Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55108 612.625.8693 (HFHL) | HFHL@UMN.EDU 612.626.6425 (MN Food Charter Network)
Produced by the Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives (HFHL) Institute © 2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This publication is available in alternative formats upon request via hfhl@umn.edu.
Credit: Mike Hazard
Solving complex problems related to food and health and improving health outcomes is the overarching vision of the University of Minnesota’s Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives (HFHL) Institute.
WHAT WE DO
HEALTHY FOODS, HEALTHY LIVES INSTITUTE
The HFHL Institute addresses complex food problems and strives to improve human health by utilizing and building the strengths and impact of the University of Minnesota—one of the country’s original land-grant research institutions—in the interdisciplinary arena of food, agriculture and health. The Institute does this by CREATING NEW KNOWLEDGE, PROMOTING EDUCATION and by BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL AND ENGAGEMENT.
Sense of Belonging
Diversity
Social Capital
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GRANT PROGRAMS: The Institute administers five grant programs to fund inter- and transdisciplinary research teams towards the development and implementation of cutting edge, extramurally funded research and training programs. Past studies awarded by the Institute • Faculty Research Grant Program • Community University Grant Program • Graduate and Professional Student
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Reciprocity
Citizen Power / Proactivity
PROMOTING EDUCATION >>
ANNUAL SYMPOSIA: Each year, HFHL co-hosts and co-sponsors a research symposium to discuss critical and current issues related to food, agriculture, and health. The symposium is a two day event, focusing on new and innovative national research on day 1 with a focus on practical application on day 2.
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NATIVE AMERICAN NUTRITION SYMPOSIA: The Institute is partnering with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), as part of their Seeds of Native Health campaign to convene a series of annual nutrition conferences focused on Native nutrition.
Research Grant Program
25-MEMBER ADVISORY BOARD: Through quarterly Board meetings and annual strategic planning meetings, this interdisciplinary advisory board provides direction to all Institute activities.
Feeling of Trust and Safety
Values, Norms, Outlook in Life
OUR PROGRAMS CREATING NEW KNOWLEDGE
Networking Bonding/Bridging
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COOKING COURSES FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF: Year-round, multi-disciplinary, and experiential healthy cooking courses offered for students and U of M Twin Cities employees. • For Students: FScN 2001 (3-credit lecture-lab, fulfills CFANS experiential learning requirement) and FScN 2002 (1-credit lab only) • For Twin Cities Employees: Cooking for Wellness - The Basics ANNUAL FOOD DAY: Every October, HFHL hosts this student-led event to celebrate and promote healthy, affordable and sustainable food.
Participation
BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL AND ENGAGEMENT >>
ANNUAL NETWORKING EVENT: In an effort to contribute to the U’s commitment to translational and transdisciplinary scholarship, this annual cross-pollinating event facilitates communication, transdisciplinary collaboration and authentic partnership among University researchers as well as external partners towards innovative research and solving communityidentified food and health problems.
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PARTNERING WITH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL GROUPS ON PROJECTS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES: Involvement and participation in local, regional and national food systems activities and planning groups to further the Institute’s understanding and role in local and regional impact programming both within and outside the U.
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MINNESOTA FOOD CHARTER: HFHL has played an integral role in guiding the development of the state’s Food Charter--a shared roadmap for how all Minnesotans can have reliable access to healthy, affordable, safe food. HFHL is the home of the Minnesota Food Charter Network which serves to coordinate the ongoing work related to the Charter and to build statewide capacity to implement the 99 Food Charter strategies.