Leaders from the University of California, Davis — the top-ranked university in the world for agriculture — are scheduled to be at the United Nations on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to join dozens of other universities in pushing to end food insecurity.

Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi has already signed the Presidents’ Commitment to Food and Nutrition Security, an initiative of Presidents United to Solve Hunger, or PUSH, under the leadership of Auburn University.

Adela de la Torre, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, and Emily Prieto, her chief of staff, will represent UC Davis at the ceremonial signing in the Economic and Social Council's chamber at U.N. headquarters in New York City.

"UC Davis is in the forefront of addressing issues of food insecurity and hunger," said de la Torre, an agricultural and health economist who researches childhood obesity and food insecurity.

Landmark initiative

The event, coupled with a forum on hunger, will mark the first time university leaders and students from around the world have come together to focus on ending food insecurity. It is also the first time they will be united in the effort with international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and student groups.

“I am excited to see so many land-grants — from UC Davis to Cornell and Penn State — joining the PUSH movement," said Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State University and PUSH steering committee chair. "But I am even more encouraged to see schools of every size, background and even nationality join in.”

Inventory of activities

June Henton, dean of the College of Human Sciences and executive director of the Hunger Solutions Institute at Auburn University, said PUSH will accelerate individual university achievements. "First, additional strength will come through the power of collective action and commitment to share best practices," she said. "Second, it will give universities a strong and unified voice at the multi-sector table as the world defines sustainable food security initiatives going forward.”

PUSH members will share their collective knowledge in areas where hunger is historically addressed at academic institutions: teaching, research, outreach and student engagement.

One of the commitment's first action items is to inventory and map food and nutrition security activities in these four major areas.

Among UC Davis actions

• The World Food Center at UC Davis, established in 2013, fosters global collaborations and focuses the university's resources and renowned experts on food challenges that threaten our environment, society and health.
• UC Davis is participating in UC’s Global Food Initiative, which is harnessing the collective power of UC to help feed the world and steer it on the path to sustainability.
• In California, UC Davis and its partners are nourishing the state with food, economic activity and better health, playing a key part in its role as the top national agricultural producer for more than 50 years.
• Student Affairs recently established the Aggie Food Connection to help members of the campus community give to others in need or receive help.