Pictured (leſt to right) are Santa Clara students Alexis Babb, Brenda Alba, Tess Gordon, and Paulina Perzalonso, with Professor Belotti, enjoying the 2012 Blossom Dinner. www.scu.edu/fai 1 GROWING NOTES STRONG ROOTS, BRIGHT FUTURE SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY Fall 2012/ Winter 2013 2013 Blossom Dinner Director’s Note FAI Welcomes Rose Naumes Family Chair Student Staff Biographies Alumni Highlights Student Highlights Greenhorns Documentary Business of Nurseries Little Packets of Hope FAI Fall Events 2012 Blossom Dinner Hunger Week Ghana Immersion Trip Monterey County Wine Field Trip e Haiti Paradox 2012 Hunger Issues Forum Cost of a Healthy Meal Study Mi Pueblo vs. Walmart Case Study Uganda’s Demographic Transition 1 2 3 3 4-5 6 6-7 8 8 9 10 11 11 12-13 14 15 16-17 18 19 19 We invite you to join the Food and Agribusiness Institute, your classmates, and former professors, for our annual Blossom Dinner on March 1st, 2013. We are very excited to announce our special guest speaker this year: Dan Gordon! Dan is the co-founder and director of brewing operations for Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, located here in San Jose. A native of California, Dan undertook a five-year brewing program at the Technical University of Munich in Weihenstephan, West Germany and interned at Spaten Brewery in Munich and Anheuser Busch. In 1988, Dan co-founded Gordon Biersch with Dean Biersch initially as a restaurant in Palo Alto. ey later expanded into a chain of restaurants and an internationally recognized microbrew beer brand. We will feature Gordon Biersch beer, donated by Dan Gordon, and for guests who prefer wine; you can enjoy Punch Cabernet Sauvignon donated by alumnus Lee Nordlund. Tickets for the Blossom Dinner are $50 and can be purchased at blossomdinner2013. eventbrite.com or by returning the RSVP card with your payment. If you did not receive an invitation, please contact Rose Madden at [email protected] or 408-554-4086. e dinner will take place at the Adobe Lodge behind Mission Church. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. and the program at 8:00 p.m. is is a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your friends, enjoy a great presentation from Dan Gordon, and learn about all the exciting activities and programs offered by FAI to further the future of food and agribusiness. We look forward to seeing you there! 2013 Blossom Dinner TABLE OF CONTENTS
Transcript
Pictured (left to right) are Santa Clara students Alexis Babb, Brenda
Alba, Tess Gordon, and Paulina Perzalonso, with Professor Belotti, enjoying the 2012 Blossom Dinner.
www.scu.edu/fai 1
GROWING NOTESSTRONG ROOTS, BRIGHT FUTURE
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
Fall 2012/ Winter 2013
2013 Blossom Dinner
Director’s Note
FAI Welcomes Rose
Naumes Family Chair
Student Staff Biographies
Alumni Highlights
Student Highlights
Greenhorns Documentary
Business of Nurseries
Little Packets of Hope
FAI Fall Events
2012 Blossom Dinner
Hunger Week
Ghana Immersion Trip
Monterey County Wine Field Trip
The Haiti Paradox
2012 Hunger Issues Forum
Cost of a Healthy Meal Study
Mi Pueblo vs. Walmart Case Study
Uganda’s Demographic Transition
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We invite you to join the Food and Agribusiness Institute, your classmates, and former professors, for our annual Blossom Dinner on March 1st, 2013. We are very excited to announce our special guest speaker this year: Dan Gordon! Dan is the co-founder and director of brewing operations for Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, located here in San Jose.
A native of California, Dan undertook a five-year brewing program at the Technical University of Munich in Weihenstephan, West Germany and interned at Spaten Brewery in Munich and Anheuser Busch.
In 1988, Dan co-founded Gordon Biersch with Dean Biersch initially as a restaurant in Palo Alto. They later expanded into a chain of restaurants and an internationally recognized microbrew beer brand. We will feature Gordon Biersch beer, donated by Dan Gordon, and for guests who prefer wine; you can enjoy Punch Cabernet Sauvignon donated by alumnus Lee Nordlund.
Tickets for the Blossom Dinner are $50 and can be purchased at blossomdinner2013.eventbrite.com or by returning the RSVP card with your payment. If you did not receive an invitation, please contact Rose Madden at [email protected] or 408-554-4086.
The dinner will take place at the Adobe Lodge behind Mission Church. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. and the program at 8:00 p.m.
This is a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your friends, enjoy a great presentation from Dan Gordon, and learn about all the exciting activities and programs offered by FAI to further the future of food and agribusiness.
We look forward to seeing you there!
2013 Blossom DinnerTABLE OF
CONTENTS
Happy New Year to FAI alumni and friends! I hope you had a joyful and relaxing holiday season and are off to a bright start in the new year. As FAI enters its 40th year – yes, we turn 40 later this year! – the word that comes to mind to describe the last year is GROWTH. Below I shine a light on some of the highlights of our people and programs.
Erika, FAI’s assistant director, completed her first year and a half with us. She capably manages many of our current programs, and is always on the lookout for new possibilities.
We added a new administrative assistant position and hired a great staff member, Rose Madden, to join our team. You can learn more about Rose on the next page of this newsletter.
We continue to thwart Mike Harwood’s efforts to slow down and distract him from thinking about retirement with a solid teaching load (3 courses in the last year) and leading our hunger research project.
Courtney Robinson completed her undergraduate studies with a major in Public Health Science. She just started the MBA Food and Agribusiness Concentration, and will continue as the student manager of the hunger research project.
Our MBA numbers remain strong. We have students working in many areas of the food industry in diverse jobs covering retail, agricultural technology, food distribution and marketing, olive farming, peach and walnut production, trade associations, and produce. Our students recently launched FAN: the Food and Agribusiness Network for MBA students and are engaged in planning new events and activities.
We have over 40 energetic students enrolled in our Food, Hunger, Poverty and Environment pathway, who are busy planning an undergraduate club, suggesting speakers, and looking for ways to be involved with FAI.
FAI has more on-going research projects than at any time in its history. In addition to our hunger research, the projects address organic produce promotion, traffic light labeling, the secondary produce market, childhood obesity, future agribusiness industry scenarios, and the Hunger Index project led by Dean Drew Starbird.
We continue to develop and grow our enrichment programs. As always, we have a strong field trip program that takes students to interesting farm and food businesses. To these experiences we have added an immersion program. In recent years, we have traveled to Ghana (twice) and Central America (Nicaragua and Costa Rica). We plan to travel to Burma in September. We are launching our community internship program this year. Our first community intern will work with the Second Harvest Food Bank as a result of our collaboration on hunger research.
We keep our students interested, engaged and informed through events and other activities. In the last year we have featured topics ranging from deforestation in Haiti to the success of Jamba Juice to labeling genetically engineered food. We will continue to explore new areas of food and agribusiness to better inform our current students about the industry and attract new students- both undergraduates and MBAs- to our field.
We are embarking on a fundraising campaign to generate support for our student programs. We will be sending out details soon via mail and email and we look forward to your continued support.
We invite you to be a part of our growth and participate wherever and whenever you can. Come to our annual dinner on March 1st, drop us a line and let us know what you’ve been up to, and support our students.
Greg Baker
DIRECTOR’S CORNER
FOOD & AGRIBUSINESS INSTITUTE2
Dr. Greg Baker appointed to Naumes Family Chair
FAI Welcomes Rose!
Upon returning from Kenya, Rose began interning and volunteering at Full Circle Farm, a non-profit, community-based farm in Sunnyvale, CA. She helped Full Circle Farm grow its production by 40%, developed new fundraising events and strategies, and was a lead project manager for a $100k capacity building grant.
Now back at Santa Clara University, Rose is excited to apply her community development and agricultural skills to her new roles in the Food and Agribusiness Institute and the Forge Garden. She intends to go back for her MBA and continue to work in fields promoting organic agriculture, local food security, and ecological health.
Rose is the new part-time as the Administrative Assistant for the Food and Agribusiness Institute. She provides administrative support to Erika French-Arnold and Greg Baker. Together, with a great team of student assistants, Rose helps coordinate speaker events, the annual dinner, marketing the FAI concentration within the MBA program and to undergraduate students, as well as planning immersion trips, field trips, seminars, and conferences. When she is not working at FAI, Rose spends her time as the Organic Garden Manager at the Forge Garden, SCU’s educational and demonstration garden. Rose was born in Vermont, and raised on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. She developed a love for nature, horticulture, and gardening at an early age and worked as a landscape gardener during the summers. She attended Santa Clara University for her undergraduate education, earning degrees in Political Science and Environmental Studies (class of 2009). During her senior year she traveled abroad with the School for Field Studies and spent three months in rural Kenya. In Kenya she studied the impacts of tourism, wildlife populations, environmental degradation, and socio-economic challenges on the local people.
Dr. Greg Baker appointed to Naumes Family ChairThe following text is exerpted from an announcement from the Leavey School of Business.
“Greg Baker is one of the leading scholars in food and agribusiness management, specializing in consumer perspectives on food safety, hunger, and childhood obesity. He is the author or co-author of more than 45 refereed journal articles, as well as producing several book chapters, and serving as editor of International Food and Agribusiness Review. He is co-author of Food and Agribusiness Management, one of the most widely used texts in the field.
Long recognized by his peers as a leader in the study of food and agribusiness, Greg is a fellow of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Assocation where he serves on the Executive Committee of the board of directors. He has received numerous awards from the Leavey School and the University for his teaching and research activities.
The Naumes family has a long history with Santa Clara University, beginning with Joseph Naumes, a 1934 graduate whose company, Naumes, Inc., is a nut and fruit producer in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California, farming more than 4,500 acres of pears, apples, cherries, cling peaches, walnuts, and persimmons. Joe served as a University Trustee and a Regent, chairing the Regents board for a two-year term. He and other family members played a formative role in founding the agribusiness program in the School of Business in the 1970’s.
His children and grandchildren have continued the SCU connection, including son Michael ‘68 who is president and CEO of Naumes, Inc.; Joe’s daughter Susan ‘70 (who also served as a Regent), and nephew Pete ‘67, held leadership roles at Naumes before retirement. Michael’s daughter Cynthia graduated from SCU in 2012; son Sean will graduate in 2013.”
FOOD & AGRIBUSINESS INSTITUTE4
STUDENT STAFF BIOGRAPHIES:THE OFFICE TEAM
Courtney is a currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration Degree. Her main project at FAI is managing the “Real Cost of a Healthy Meal” study in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. This study aims to determine whether or not individuals residing in these counties can attain a healthy meal, by USDA guidelines, for the cost that CalFresh (Food-stamps) allocates. Courtney has studied abroad in Kenya, as well as travelled with FAI’s immersion team to Ghana this past summer. While abroad, she realized the immense need for food, inspiring her desire to attain a Masters of Business Administration/Masters of Public Health dual degree. With these degrees, she hopes to work for a nonprofit organization in the agricultural sector. In her spare time she enjoys reading, baking, and traveling.
Courtney RobinsonStudent Research Manager
Tara PozziMarketing and Event Planning Assistant
Tara is a sophomore and a Civil Engineering Major. She grew up in a farming family in Salinas, CA, where she was surrounding by the agribusiness industry. Since coming to Santa Clara, she has become very involved in her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, the school orchestra, as well as taking private lessons on the viola. Tara has also become very involved in an organization called Reading Partners, where she tutors children who are behind in their reading level. In her spare time, she loves to play pick-up soccer, ride her horse, and hang out with friends.
Lisa McMonagleResearch and Collaborations Assistant
Lisa is a sophomore pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and Environmental Studies. Lisa is a Community Facilitator in the Modern Perspectives RLC at Santa Clara University. She is originally from Roseville, California. Lisa has traveled to El Salvador and West Virginia and seen firsthand the food and diet disparitie of these places. These experiences have inspired an interest in the work and research of the Food and Agribusiness Institute. Lisa is very excited to work at FAI and be a part of the research that the Institute conducts, including the current Cost of a Healthy Meal Project and the Hunger Index. She is also looking forward to planning events put on by FAI. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends.
Saumya Singhal is a freshman in the Leavey School of Business, and works as a research assistant primarily under Dr. Greg Baker. She is originally from Fremont, California. Saumya enjoys travelling, and would like to visit all seven continents at least once in her lifetime. She also has a passion for French, both the language and culture. Saumya is excited to be working with the Food and Agribusiness Institute this year!
Saumya SinghalResearch Assistant
Brenda AlbaResearch Assistant
Brenda is a senior studying Political Science and Spanish. She is originally from Chicago, IL and studied abroad in London, UK in the fall of 2011. She has also traveled to Tanzania and El Salvador through other SCU programs. Recently, she participated in the FAI immersion trip to Ghana this past June, as well as the 2011 San Jose spring break immersion trip which focused on hunger and poverty in the San Jose area. Seeing the faces of hunger so close to home really unsettled her and promoted her interest in the “Real Cost of a Healthy Meal” project. Brenda wants to learn more about the policy behind Food Support Programs (SNAP, WIC, etc.) She is very eager to continue working on the project throughout the school year.In her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling, and rooting for her favorite Chicago sports teams.
Jessica TranResearch Assistant
Jessica was born and raised in Santa Clara and is a senior. She is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology and minor in Communications. Jessica focuses on the Vietnamese population to further expand the ethnic diversity of the “Real Cost of a Healthy Meal” study. For the past 3 years, Jessica has traveled on mission trips to Vietnam as the founder of an organization called “The Golden Heart Club”. The club hopes to aid orphans, the elderly, and other people in need. This past summer she coordinated an event raising over $30K and spent over a month traveling to remote villages in Vietnam to help those in need. Jessica hopes to attain a career in marketing/public relations in the nonprofit sector to utilize her skill set and to continue her passion of helping others.
Nick is a junior and is pursuing a dual degree in Economics and Environmental Studies. Though he was born in Germany and moved with his family numerous times growing up, Nick spent much of his childhood in Austin, Texas before moving to California to attend SCU. Continuing this trend in traveling, Nick spent this past summer in Uganda helping to teach a solar manufacturing class. He is currently a DJ at the student radio station KSCU and also just joined the Santa Clara University men’s rugby team. In his spare time, Nick likes to play basketball, attend concerts and films, or hike and camp in the great outdoors.
Nick LeasureResearch Assistant
Veronica KooResearch Assistant
Veronica is a senior at Santa Clara University and is completeing a dual degree in Public Health Sciences and Psychology with a Biology minor. Veronica has been very involved with the St. James Cathedral Soup Kitchen in her hometown, Seattle, WA. She started to gain more interest in food security and costs while working at the kitchen. Veronica hopes to further her education by attending a Doctorate program for Speech-Language Pathology. Veronica is in the Chamber Chorus at SCU, along with playing intramural volleyball. She established and became president of the SCU Baking Club, and works closely with the SCU University Chapter of To Write Love On Her Arms. In her spare time, she likes volunteering, traveling, baking, playing pick-up sports, attending live concerts, and spending time with family and friends.
Michael Enos started the MBA program while working at Second Harvest Food Bank. His work with donors and food growers fostered his desire to understand how the business of agriculture works. The FAI classes caught his attention and sparked his interest in the concentration. He speaks fondly of FAI, sharing his favorite memory of of the program, the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) case study competition in Budapest. Here, he worked alongside other concentration students and the team was awarded first place. While in the program, Michael began research on his thesis, which focuses on the economics of secondary markets for fresh produce and how both consumers, such as food banks, and growers can benefit from them. Dr. Baker serves as Michael’s
mentor and his research is intended to benefit both Second Harvest and the greater community. Michael graduated from SCU’s MBA program in 2012 and is the Chief Technology Officer at Second Harvest Food Bank for Santa Clara County. He uses the skills and knowledge that he has gained in the MBA program and FAI concentration and has taken his work to the next level. Michael continues to keep in touch with FAI and its alumni through his research and through social networks.-Lisa McMonagle
Greg PruettFAI Concentration Alumnus & Advisory Board Member
Greg Pruett graduated from Santa Clara University with a Food and Agribusiness MBA concentration. Greg was interested in Santa Clara’s program not only because of its strong emphasis on business skill development, but also because it increased his knowledge of the the agribusiness sector. Mr. Pruett enjoyed the FAI field trips to San Joaquin Valley, where he gained first-hand farming experience. Greg’s fondest class was a commodities class taught by Dr. Jim Niles, because he found the subject material to be very interesting. After receiving his MBA degree, Greg started working in industry and eventually worked his way up to his current position as President of Vaquero Farms in Fresno County. Greg grew up surrounded by the agricultural industry, so he knew the potential and possibilities the industry had for him. He had the motivation to achieve his goals, however FAI helped him acquire the skills necessary for success. Appreciative of FAI’s efforts, Greg chooses to give back to FAI by serving on the advisory board to help the institute’s program stay relevant. Some advice Greg offered for those in academia or heading into the industry, was “if you really love the industry have patience because there are many good companies and people out there, you just need to make the right connections”. Greg has appreciated all that FAI has given to him, and in turn he hopes that others have the same experience and more!-Tara Pozzi
Tina CosentinoFAI Concentration Student
Tina Cosentino is an MBA student in her third year and she will be graduating in June. Her background in the agriculture industry is what first interested her in the FAI concentration. Her interest in expanding the organic sector using basic business concepts and the great alumni network also aided her decision. Currently, she works for California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Trade Association and deals mostly with marketing education to farmers to further their understanding of marketing channels. One of her favorite FAI courses was Global Agriculture, which was taught by Professor Harwood. She found this class especially interesting because she has previously worked in Mexico and South America. Currently, she is working on her thesis, which aims to investigate organic producers’ experience with marketing commissions for fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Once she completes her MBA she wants to help grow the organic sector and focus on agricultural marketing. Tina hopes to make marketing more accessible to small organic farmers who may find the glossy aspects of marketing more challenging.-Brenda Alba
FAI Alumni Highlights
FAI Student Highlights
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY 7
Sarah MaddenFood, Hunger, Poverty & Environment Pathway Student
Sarah Madden is a sophomore and is majoring in Economics, and considering a minor in Public Health. Sarah became interested in the FHPE Pathway when she went on the FAI-sponsored Ghana trip last spring. Sarah explained, “the four words: food, hunger, poverty, and the environment reso-nated”. After learning more about the pathway, it was clearly a perfect fit for her emphasis in her major and minor because it focused on aspects she wanted to learn more about. So far she has taken one course in the pathway, Econ 101, taught by Dr. Greg Baker, the director of FAI. Although it was her first and only FHPE course, she loved it. The course topics exposed the relationship between economics and social and environmental health. She found the subject matter fascinating and it reconfirmed her interest in the pathway as well as her major and minor studies. Furthermore, Sarah really enjoyed the Haiti Paradox presentation in January. The speaker, Starry Sprenkle, shared her personal experience and on-the-ground research on ecological and socio-economic challenges in Haiti. Sarah found Sprenkle’s dedication and enthusiasm inspiring. She wants to do something like that as a career in the future. After learning about, and seeing first-hand in Ghana, how agriculture can up-lift developing communities, Sarah has realized that she can help make a difference through working with agricultural and economic development. With her level of passion and drive, Sarah is well on the waytowards a meaningful future in the realm of food, hunger, poverty, and the environment.-Rose Madden
Andrew Noonan is a junior and is working on a major in accounting and minor in environmental studies. He is also the president of SCU’s outdoor adventure club, Into The Wild. Andrew first heard about the FHPE pathway at a presentation by Joel Salatin, hosted by FAI. Joel Salatin’s presentation was not only Andrew’s first exposure to the FHPE pathway, but it was also his favorite event. Andrew has read Salatin’s books on farming and ranching and was very inspired by his presentation. Andrew has always been interested in sustainable agriculture and the cycle of our food system. According to Andrew, “it made sense to join the FHPE pathway”. So far Andrew’s favorite class in the pathway was Agroecology with Joanna Alhum. He enjoyed learning about both the overarching theories of sustainable agriculture as well as the political and economic factors that are involved. As for his own career, Andrew plans on applying his foundation in accounting toward a sustainable approach. His current accounting internship with Ernst and Young is his first chance to test the waters of sustainability accounting and auditing. One thing is for certain, Andrew is well-aware of the importance of using business and economics as a driver for environmental change in our society.-Rose Madden
Raymond Shady is an MBA student; he is four classes and a thesis away from completing the program. Ray developed a strong interest in the food industry after he and his wife invested in a family-owned organic olive farm in the Sacramento Valley. Ray learned about the FAI concentration from Joe Pert, an alumnus of the MBA program. He has plans to run his own company someday and is honing in on his product-focused business perspective. Ray says that the MBA program has provided him with the education and tools to be successful in pursuing his goals. Currently, Ray is a Business Strategist for VoloAgri Group, Inc., an investment company focused on the seed industry. He learned about this opportunity through Erika French-Arnold, the Assistant Director of FAI, and was coached by Mike
Harwood, adjunct professor for FAI, for the interview. Shady attributes his success in his company’s marketing, financial, regulatory, and crop strategies to his FAI coursework. Raymond says his favorite class was Dr. Greg Baker’s class, “Social, Political, and Legal Environment of Food and Agribusiness Firms”.-Lisa McMonagle
Ray ShadyFAI Concentration Student
Andrew NoonanFood, Hunger, Poverty & Environment Pathway Student
FOOD & AGRIBUSINESS INSTITUTE8
Greenhorns DocumentaryOn April 18th, 2012, FAI co-sponsored the screening of the documentary “Greenhorns” with the Forge and Bon Appétit. This short film reveals the lifestyles of young farmers, full of passion and dedication to their work. Director Von Tscharner Fleming, a young farmer himself, wanted to travel around the country to raise awareness about these young aspiring farmers. Out of this documentary came the term “the Greenhorns”, labeling a group of individuals who are working to obtain publicity, build an infrastructure, and gather resources that other young farmers can utilize.
One of the main issues highlighted in this film is that our American farmers are aging. When they retire, there is the opportunity for large-scale industrial agriculture to take over their land and livelihood. However, young farmers have the ability to deter this from happening, and by creating a network, they increase their influence.
After the screening concluded, FAI invited students to discuss the film with three young farmers in local communities surrounding Santa Clara. The panel included Kent Foreman, Manager of Pioneer Food Systems; Natalie Yoder, previous Manager of the Forge here at SCU; and Marsha Habib, Founder of Oya Organics. They each discussed the issues and hindrances encountered when managing small organic farms. They emphasized some of the main obstacles they face, such as forming a solid network of individuals around you, maintaining a stable market, and being able to compete against these long-established large-scale farms. However, regardless of the impediments, their passion to work and appreciation received from locals keep their motivation and dedication unhindered.-Courtney Robinson
The Business of Nurseries
Steve McShane, MBA ’02 gave a lively performance on May 17th, about the Business of Nurseries. Steve entertained students with stories about his previous jobs at Taylor Farms and NewStar Fresh Foods and the trials and successes of becoming a small business owner when he opened McShane’s Nursery and Landscape Supply. Steve emphasized the role of networking with FAI alumni and joining agribusiness groups for students and young professionals to find opportunities in the field. He had the audience rolling with laughter over his story about erecting the McShane Nursery 45 foot tall windmill: a new landmark in Salinas. Steve also discussed civic engagement and the role he has played in local government, including positions as a city council member and in several commissions and boards for the city of Salinas. Everyone enjoyed his positive energy and enthusiasm!-Erika French-Arnold
Screening of Greenhorns (left)
& Oya Organics
Display (right)!
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY 9
In May of 2012, the Food and Agribusiness Institute welcomed Dr. Stephen Vosti, an Associate Adjunct Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Davis. He has worked in various countries around the world and teaches a variety of courses at UC Davis. Dr. Vosti gave an inspiring presentation titled “Preventing Early Childhood Under-Nutrition in Africa”, on behalf of the iLiNS-SES Team.
The International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS) Project is a research collaboration that has grown out of a shared commitment to prevent malnutrition. It consists of public and private institutions that focus on both understanding the problems of malnutrition and creating solutions. Its goal is to evaluate the efficacy of less costly formulas, monitor the effects of providing LNS (lipid-based nutrient supplements) to pregnant and lactating women and infants, and explore the economic side of using LNS to prevent malnutrition in African countries. They currently work in Ghana, Malawi, and Burkina Faso.
Dr. Vosti spoke about the way his team operates. In these three countries, the iLiNS team is conducting nutrition trials to assess the effects of LNS consumption. The team is distributing “Little Packets of Hope” to specifically selected children within these countries. These packets consist of ground up peanuts mixed with all the micronutrients a child aged six to eighteen months needs to develop a healthy life both physically and cognitively. The children who consume these packets are followed and studied in various ways including tracking their height and physical characteristics along with cognitive development. The data collected from these children is then compared to children who did not receive the packets. Alongside these nutrition trials, there is socioeconomic work being done to assess the demand for these products and their cost-effectiveness.
Dr. Vosti’s talk helped the students visiting Ghana in June of 2012 better understand the nutritional challenges in the country and potential solutions. -Lisa McMonagle
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: LITTLE PACKETS OF HOPE
FOOD & AGRIBUSINESS INSTITUTE10
Soda’s Demise
Dr. Ritterman outlined several reasons why Measure N, the sugar-sweetened beverage tax that would add a one cent per ounce tax to all sugar sweetened beverages, would be beneficial to the Richmond community. First, all of the revenue made from the tax will go directly towards funding new sports fields and other athletic activities. Also, this tax will encourage less consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in an effort to combat obesity rates on children. Dr. Ritterman believes Richmond is the perfect place to start this tax because the town isn’t too small but also isn’t too large. He hopes that in the future, other communities will implement this tax as well.
This past November election, Richmond residents voted on the ballot and by a majority of sixty-seven percent rejected the measure. If the measure had been passed it would have made Richmond one of the first cities in the nation to place a citywide tax on soda. Even though the measure was not passed the campaign heightened the awareness of many citizens about the dangers of sugar-sweetened beverages.-Brenda Alba
On October 29th, 2012, the Food & Agribusiness Institute welcomed Dr. David Zilberman from UC Berkeley’s Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics. Dr. Zilberman gave a presentation to Santa Clara University students on the benefits and drawbacks of labeling Genetically Engineered foods. His insights gave students a more in-depth understanding of the impacts GE foods can have, allowing the students to create their own opinion on the issue.-Courtney Robinson
The Business of Smoothies
GE Foods
On November 11th, 2012, FAI co-sponsored the “Business of Jamba Juice” with Santa Clara University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Bruce Schroder, Executive Vice-President, and COO of Jamba Juice, gave a presentation on several aspects of what has made and what will continue to make Jamba Juice successful. Schroder also explained the marketing, financial, and management strategies the company has utilized over the past 22 years. He gave the students an insider’s perspective on details of operating such an innovative company.-Courtney Robinson
On Monday, October 22nd, the Food and Agribusiness Institute welcomed speaker Dr. Jeff Ritterman from Richmond, CA to discuss the idea of a tax of sweetened beverages. Dr. Ritterman had a very successful career for over 30 years as a cardiologist and currently serves as a council member for the city of Richmond. Richmond’s demographic is a mix between Black, Hispanic, and White low-income residents making less than $50,000 per year. Furthermore, the rising prevalence of sweetened beverages such as Coca-Cola, Rockstar, and similar drinks, have caused a great health concern in the community.
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY 11
On May 11th, 2012, nearly 100 Food and Agribusiness alumni, students, and staff gathered to celebrate and honor former FAI director and instructor, Dr. Jim Niles.
The program for the night included presentations by Paulina Perzalonso, Ariana Lujan, Emily Wakefield, and Alexis Babb, who experienced Nicaragua and Costa Rica on FAI’s annual immersion trip in June 2011. The students selected for June 2012 immersion to Ghana: Sarra Hilali, Will Finn, Maxwell Walter, Tess Gordon, and Brenda Alba, all spoke of their excitement for their upcoming trip. Student researchers Courtney Robinson and Emily Wakefield discussed the initial findings for the Cost of a Healthy Meal Project and MBA students Mahbod Parvar, Didier Tshimbalanga, Oby Diru, Avani Amin, and Suhas Mehta shared how they were preparing for the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association annual case study competition in Shanghai, China.
Director Dr. Greg Baker welcomed guests while Assistant Director Erika French-Arnold gave a brief overview of the events, field trips, and activities of the past year.
The evening concluded with the presentation of a plaque honoring Dr. Niles by Dean Drew Starbird, followed by reflections from alumni. Lee Nordlund and Randy Duranceau gave a humorous accolade to Dr. Niles while other alumni described how much they learned and the influence he had on their lives and future careers. Many fond memories were shared and Dr. Niles was appropriately honored for his work with the Food and Agribusiness Institute.-Erika French-Arnold
Blossom Dinner 2012
Hunger WeekThe Food & Agribusiness Institute launched its first annual day-fast in May 2012. Student Researcher Amber Park created the event to raise awareness on the issue of hunger. The event started by signing nearly 100 students up for the 12-hour fast which took place on Wednesday, May 30th. After the 12 hours had passed, the students met up at the Mission Gardens to break the fast. The Students Against Hunger club kindly donated “Buck Hunger” shirts for all of the participants. Not only did the event raise awareness about hunger, it also collected nearly $300 to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. -Courtney Robinson
Left: While breaking their fast, the participants were challenged to a trivia game regarding facts about hunger. The
table to get the most questions correct won giftcards Frozo’s Yogurt!
IMMERSION TO GHANAFrom June 17th through June 28th, Erika French-Arnold, Assistant Director of FAI, and Mike Harwood, FAI MBA Alumnus and Lecturer, led an SCU immersion experience in Ghana. Erika and Mike accompanied 11 students and one student leader through Ghana where the students interacted with the local communities to learn and develop their passion for solidarity and social justice.
Odame (Fred) Phillips, a Ghanaian MBA student, accompa-nied the team throughout their journey. His love for Ghana and words of wisdom greatly influenced the student’s perspectives.
In the previous immersion trip to Ghana in 2009, the students raised $3,000 to build two houses for the Habitat for Humanity community they visited. With this past success, the students were warmly greeted upon their arrival into the community. After a brief introduction, the students accompanied their host to his or her home. During this time, the students talked with each of their host families about their lives and what they do for a living. Having the students in such an intimate setting with these families allowed for deep discussion and understanding of what Ghanaian lifestyle is like.
While in Ghana, the students engaged in a multitude of activities. Some of the students’ most memorable experiences include the slave castles of Cape Coast, interacting with Ghanaians at an HIV/AIDS clinic, and spending an hour teaching at local elementary schools. In addition to the more emotional activities, the students let off some steam while taking fun hikes to waterfalls and getting an adrenaline rush by walking across a canopy bridge 130 feet high!
One of the ways the students were able to immerse themselves in Ghanaian culture was through the expansive markets. Strolling through Kumasi market, the largest in West Africa, trying to avoid collision with people as well as ducking under the vast bowls used for carrying supplies on the Ghanaians’ heads was quite the experience. The items sold in these markets ranged from soccer jerseys, which many of the students purchased, to dried fish to toothpaste to the delicious fruits and vegetables grown on local farms. Basically, anything desired by the average household could be found within this market.
“In the Habitat for Humanity village, Max and I lodged with a man named James. He left a profound impact on us
with his hospitality and kindness. Max and I had some great talks with him, and he gave us a lot more faith in the world;
at one point telling us that, ‘we are all one people’”. -Will Finn, ‘14
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“Fred managed to enhance the meaning of our experiences by sending us off with new ambitions to
make a difference, for ourselves and for others. He talked about his belief that each human being is placed on Earth with the purpose to change and improve something in the
world. He talked about the importance of humility in finding fulfillment in life. My favorite thing he said was‘stay humble, stay focused, and the world will come to
you’”. –Joey Coleman, ‘15
“The trip to Ghana was incredible, from getting to know the rest of the group, learning about the culture, and seeing the
natural beauty of a different continent; it was unreal!” –Maxwell Walter, ‘13
Not only were the markets of Ghana memorable, but the environment was just as astounding. Taking scenic hikes to waterfalls and an “umbrella” shaped rock really opened the students’ eyes to the beauty of Ghana. These hikes, along with the Kukum National Park Canopy Trail, helped the students understand the Ghanaian sense of pride in their country. There is an abundance of natural resources and an infinite amount of environmental beauty that captivates all who travel to Ghana. Fortunately for the students, Fred works in agricultural cocoa production and gave them a presentation on harvest and production methods in a small village cocoa tree grove. Fred commented on how a large percentage of chocolate companies purchase their cocoa from Ghana. During the presentation, a local Ghanaian village came to greet the students. It was interesting to see children roaming away from their parents to flock to us at markets and in other areas, considering Americans are used to parents making sure their children are always within sight. The explanation Fred gave is that Ghanaian communities are very trusting of one another, and think of their neighbors as extended family to their children.
The return to America was bittersweet for many students, as they thoroughly enjoyed their Ghanaian cultural experience. The next step of the immersion program is to raise money for a specific cause or organization within Ghana. While on the trip, the students displayed interest in funding the local elementary schools, because they do not receive sufficient funding to provide the educational needs of the students.
In addition, the students would like to help the individuals they met at an HIV/AIDS clinic. Deciding how they will focus their efforts for fundraising will be a challenge, but they are determined to contribute to the bettering of one of these causes. The main goal of the trip was to gain exposure to the economic, social, and cultural dimension of everyday rural life. Ultimately, the students gained this and more from the immersion. The trip to Ghana is without a doubt an experience that will continue to extend learning outside the classroom at Santa Clara University. FAI is committed to establishing an immersion trip each year to different countries that fills the gap between the classroom and outside experience. -Courtney Robinson
“Having been to Kenya, I thought I was familiar with African style markets; but I was wrong! The Kumasi Market went far beyond my preconceived thoughts. There were so
many people in one place!”-Courtney Robinson, ‘12
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“I am not looking to have a passing experience that I bring up when people ask me what I did over the summer; I want
to really incorporate it into my life”. –Brenda Alba, ‘13
“It was mentioned that many Ghanaian communities look after one another like family members, which is the reason
why parents abstain from the typical American style of ‘hovering’, and are able to feel comfortable with their kids
roaming about with strangers. Meeting and playing with the kids of the village proved just that”.
–Ashley Acosta, ‘14
“I realize that I was not in Ghana to build houses, paint building, or cure AIDS. Rather, I was in Ghana to
immerse myself in a wildly unique culture, experience global needs, and witness social problems that must be solved. I was there to determine which issues I am truly
passionate about fixing. I was there to develop an enthusiastic drive that will guide my life in the future. I was there to discover that I have the power to make a difference
in the world. Everyone has that power”. –Natalie Ceciliani, ‘15
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Monterey County Wine Field TripOn Saturday, November 3rd, 2012, the Food and Agribusiness Institute took twenty-seven wine and business enthusiasts, as well as several FAI MBA concentration students to two wineries in Monterey County. The day called for an early morning wake-up but offered a pleasant day of tours, gorgeous weather in Monterey, and excellent wine.
The day began with a tour of Hahn Estate Winery, where Hospitality Manager Liz Largaespada, Estate Educator David Tonus, and General Manager Tony Baldini greeted the group. Shortly after arriving there was a wine tasting and brief overview of the marketing strategy used by the winery team. David and Tony described the AVA (American Viticulture Area), the best wines for the area, the evolution of the Hahn brands, and methods for increasing the profiles of their wines.
A light lunch with a wine pairing was provided after the tour. It was a beautiful day in the vineyards and the group enjoyed the patio lunch setting. Participants also enjoyed watching a large falcon and owl circling around Hahn Vineyard, dispersing small birds. After additional tastings and purchases, the group set off to the next stop, Chalone Winery.
Chalone Winemaker Robert Cook gave attendees an in-depth look at the vineyards, wine, and the third AVA established in the country, titled the Chalone AVA. Chalone has been closed to public tours for several years, so the group was lucky to get an insider’s view of the winemaking process. Pinnacles National Monument, a designated state game reserve created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, surrounds the Chalone Estate. Robert described how Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir grapes were chosen because they thrive in the Chalone AVA’s climate of warm days and cool nights. Our wine enthusiasts were able to indulge in a wine tasting while touring the underground cellar located three levels below the winery.
The wine tour provided a great time for students and faculty. It emphasized the marketing and distributions aspect of wineries as well as gave an insight into the production side of the industry that few individuals have the opportunity to see.-Brenda Alba
Brenda Alba (bottom right), gaining first hand experiencesmashing grapes while on the tour of Hanh Estate. After
everyone got a turn, we concluded the tour with a wine tasting (top right).
Left: Robert Cook showing the team around the Chalone private vineyards!
During her presentation, Starry touched on many of the issues Haiti is facing; issues that started both before and after the earthquake in 2010. For many years, the forests of Haiti have been cut down and greatly degraded due to poor agricultural practices. These lands include mountainous terrain and farm plots that once used to be lush forest. It is estimated that in 2007, Haiti had only 1% of its original forest cover. Yet, as Starry pointed out, even with this deforestation for increased farming purposes, much of Haiti is still not food-secure. Starry iterates that there are multiple causes for this; one of the causes refers to the idea that Haiti, due to its mountainous slopes and forest, is not a country that is very suitable for agriculture.
However, Haitians still continue to emphasize agriculture, growing anything that they can. Another cause Starry brings up is the prevalence of food aid in Haiti. Food aid has been especially a problem since the earthquake in 2010, which increased the numbers of people living in Tent City in Port-au-Prince, increased Haiti’s dependence on aid, and decreased investment into Haiti’s own agricultural system. These
factors together have led to a predicted food security crisis in 2013. Starry also spoke of the causes of land degradation in Haiti. These include overgrazing, burning of forest to clear areas for plots, intensive farming of slopes, and the cutting of firewood and burning of charcoal. These all contribute to the mass deforestation that has been occurring in Haiti for decades. However Starry says there is still hope for Haiti. Reforestation programs have begun and the forests are beginning to recover. Starry’s programs alone have planted hundreds of thousands of trees in Haiti to contribute to re-forestation in the country. Agriculture reforms have sprout-ed up and been implemented into many farming practices. Although Haiti’s future is uncertain, Starry is hopeful that Haiti will recover and continue to grow.-Lisa McMonagle
It is estimated that in 2007, Haiti had only 1% of its original forest cover.
On January 10th, FAI welcomed Starry Sprenkle to speak about her research in Haiti. Starry is currently working on her PhD in Ecology at the University of California at Davis. She is researching how planting different trees in various patterns can change their growth rates, which will be very important in the reforestation of Haiti.
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The Haiti Paradox
Left: Deforestation in Haitian hills.Top: Port-au-Prince
Bottom: Haitians replanting trees
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5TH ANNUAL HUNGER ISSUES FORUM
On September 28, the Food and Agribusiness Institute (FAI), in partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank, hosted the 5th Annual Hunger Issues Forum. There was a diverse crowd in attendance at this year’s forum. It provided an open space for discussion among the attendees and helped circulate ideas to actualize goals for eradicating hunger. It was a successful event and provided a space for lively discussion that was enjoyed by all.
The purpose of the forum was to identify trends as well as threats affecting current and future food security. The keynote speaker was Judi Larsen, program manager at the California Endowment. There were also many other featured speakers from different backgrounds who focused on how hunger can be addressed through various different ways.
The Hunger Index presentation was given by Dr. Drew Starbird, using research compiled by Cindy McCown, Michael Enos, Mahbod Parvar, and Lisa McMonagle. The Hunger Index is a measure of the need for food by the most vulnerable members of our community. It is important because it helps to monitor the progress of achieving our goals in eliminating hunger. The presentation highlighted that vulnerable households increased by more than seven percent and the need also grew by over eight percent. In comparison, food assistance grew by just over eight percent. The most growth was in the CalFresh (food stamps) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) programs. The Hunger Index demonstrated that households are spending less on food and using more food assistance. From this, we draw the conclusion that as a society, we need to work together to improve and provide more food assistance.
Hunger Issues Forum speakers Kathy Jackson CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, Dr. Drew Starbird, Dean of the Leavey School of Business, and Cindy McCown from Second Harvest Food Bank (pictured left to right).
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Another feature of the Food and Agribusiness Institute’s research was the presentation on “The Real Cost of a Healthy Meal” (CHM) project by Courtney Robinson, Lisa McMonagle, and Mahbod Parvar. The study is made possible through the generous financial assistance of the Bank of America Foundation. It aims to study the long-term social, economic, and nutritional value of food for low-income families in the Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
This research continues to develop into a groundbreaking study. It concentrates on twenty-four hour dietary recall interviews and visits to local supermarkets for food pricing. From those two components an analysis can be done on dietary patterns, nutritional needs, and food costs. The combination of research and data has yet to be replicated elsewhere in the country, which is why it is important to continue. This research is made possible by the hard work of the student research assistants including Courtney Robinson, Mahbod Parvar, Lisa McMonagle, Nick Leasure, Brenda Alba, Jessica Tran, and Veronica Koo.
Keynote speaker Judi Larsen, who serves as the program manager at the California Endowment, talked about the new changes that are happening with school-based feeding programs, for example, the push for providing healthier and more appealing school meals. Kathy Jackson, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank spoke about the Food Bank’s latest expansion and new business model. She highlighted that they are working to increase access to food stamps, where California ranks a dismal second-to-last in the nation in signing up eligible families. Those were just two of the many speakers who eloquently spoke about their respective organizations progress in action to strengthen Santa Clara County’s hunger safety net. Thanks to all who made the Hunger Issues Forum possible!-Brenda Alba
Left: Mahbod Parvar, a former student researcher, presenting the latest information on CHM. Middle: An audience member intent on the presentations. Right: Some pamphlets handed out to guests at the forum.
Walmart and Mi Pueblo: Food Industry PowerhousesSince the summer of 2011, the Food & Agribusiness Institute (FAI) and Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) of Santa Clara County have collaborated on “The Real Cost of a Healthy Meal” (CHM) project. This study is a long-term analysis of low-income family food consumption pattrns. CHM aims to determine if poverty-stricken residents in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties can purchase a healthy meal for the price allotted to them through CalFresh (Supplemental Food Assistance Program, SNAP, or Food Stamps). In addition to the main goal, the project seeks to discover behaviors and buying patterns of impoverished individuals in these counties.
FAI Director Greg Baker and former Assistant Director, Jessica Gagon, developed the strategy for this research proj-ect in early 2011. Since then it has shifted from an economic study to a multi-faceted study incorporating different fields such as public health and public policy. CHM is developing into a groundbreaking investigation, one that involves 24-hour dietary recall interviews with a large number of subjects.
An ACCESS database is utilized to analyze the association between dietary patterns, nutritional needs, and food cost for low-income families in local communities. Connecting these three aspects of research/data has yet to be done in any type of study across the country. This innovative approach promises to be at the forefront of supplemental food program policy changes in the future.
In the summer of 2011, student researchers collected 84 interviews with SHFB distribution center clients. The researchers then visited more than 50 grocery stores to price
the items consumed by the clients interviewed. Once the pricing was collected, the researchers added the 24-hour dietary recall data into “Diet Analysis +” software to determine the nutritional quality of the meals consumed. Students could then compute the price spent on food per day per client, and compare it to the nutritional quality of the meals. Comparing these two aspects gives the researchers an idea of how much must be spent on food per day to attain a “healthy meal” by USDA standards. The price information collected also gave the students an idea of how much low-income individuals in these two counties typically spend on food per day in comparison with how much they “should be” spending.
In the hopes of increasing the sample size, FAI created an internship program with SCU’s Public Health Department. The internship consists of interviewing 20 SHFB clients and completing an analysis on the dietary patterns, economic boundaries, and social behaviors of each client. The purpose of this program is to enhance the students’ understanding of public health issues in local communities.
This past summer, the student researchers and eight public health interns collected over 320 interviews, giving a total database size of more than 400 subjects. The student researchers presented preliminary findings at the fifth annual Hunger Issues Forum; the presentation can be found on FAI’s website at: http://www.scu.edu/business/fai/research/healthymeal.cfm.
During this school year as well as in the summer of 2013, the students will collect secondary interviews and increase ethnic diversity within the sample.
Cost of a Healthy Meal Research Project
Uganda’s Demographic Transition
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Left: Research Assistant, Courtney Robinson is pictured
entering data in to ACCESS.
Right: Research Assistant, Nick Leasure is conducting an
interview for CHM.
“Not only does this research have the ability to promote policy change on food stamp allotment, it has given the student researchers and interns a better understanding of the communities they reside in as well as greater passion towards food
justice!”- Courtney Robinson
Walmart and Mi Pueblo: Food Industry Powerhouses
Uganda’s Demographic TransitionResearch Assistant Nick Leasure spent six weeks volunteering with Energy Made in Uganda this past summer. In the following analysis, he explores some the challenges facing the country as it develops.Any developing nation moving through the demographic transition is faced with the difficult task of meeting the energy needs of a growing population and a more industrialized, energy-intensive society. While this process has traditionally been accomplished almost exclusively by burning fossil fuels, growing global concern over climate change has begun to seriously challenge this status quo. It is now cru-cial that both developing countries and fully industrialized countries alike seek al-ternative sources of energy moving into the future. Developing countries by defi-nition typically lack advanced technologies likealternative energy, however, which leaves the time-tested burning of fossil fuels as the easiest solution to their energy problems.
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Student researchers working on the Cost of a Healthy Meal Project uncovered interesting data trends in supermarket choices of low-income neighborhoods in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Student researcher, Brenda Alba, is taking the lead on analyzing the impact of different factors, such as price, convenience, and ethic offerings, on grocery store choices. Preliminary research found that the two most popular supermarkets in these areas are Walmart and Mi Pueblo; Walmart caters to low-income shoppers, while Mi Pueblo provides a large market for Hispanic goods.
Alba will be conducting research for a case study on these two supermarkets. Her work will compare the business models of each company, their relationships with, and impacts on the surrounding communities, and which factors have the most influence on low-income shoppers. The results of the Walmart and Mi Pueblo case study will provide additional insight into the Cost of a Healthy Meal Project. -Brenda Alba
Since the world’s wealthiest nations already navigated industrialization via carbon-based fuels, they cannot simply demand or even expect that poorer nations will do so by other means. If developed nations are to avoid this double standard they must give strong support to the sustainable development of these poor countries. Such aid should not merely entail the export of new alternative energy technologies, but also investment in the education and energy industries of those developing nations. Uganda’s budding solar industry, for example, bears strong potential for allowing sustainable development through this kind of relationship. The small East African country receives plenty of sunlight as it straddles the equator, providing an abundant renewable energy resource ready to be exploited. Yet despite its very advantageous latitude, nearly all Ugandans are at least somewhat energy insecure. If given the necessary help from the very countries where photovoltaic technology is created—countries like the U.S. and a number in Western Europe—Uganda’s solar industry could provide the country with a more stable and sustainable energy source for the future as well as livelihoods for countless Ugandan citizens.-Nick Leasure
Above: Nick talking to a Ugandan man about solar panels.
