The Tisch Food Center's Executive Director, Dr. Pam Koch, is highlighted as one of NYC's big food system thinkers and doers by Hunter College Food Policy Center. According to their article, 

During Women’s History Month, it’s wonderful to be able to showcase women who stand out in the food world in a variety of ways. 

Read Pam's profile below. In the full article, you can also learn about other amazing women in food including four Food Ed Coalition members!

Pam Koch

Title/Organization or Company: Executive Director, Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy, Program in Nutrition, Teachers College, Columbia University

Background/Education: While I was an extremely picky eater as a child, I always loved teaching people about food and health. I majored in nutrition, and worked hard to become a veggie lover, and never turned back.

Who has been your career mentor or inspiration? I have three. Joan Gussow taught me to see the limits to growth and to become a systems thinker. Isobel Contento lit my passion for nutrition educator and research. Toni Liquori taught me the importance of good school meals, and to believe every step forward matters.

What has been your biggest challenge working in this field? Too many amazing projects, and not knowing how to say no.

What is your future hope for women in food? That woman can gain control of the food system so it is more regenerative for the planet, communities, and for our health.

If you could create any food policy to protect the food system during our current coronavirus pandemic what would it be? Provide financial and technical support to farmers who want to transition from conventional commodity crops to organic vegetables, and create food hubs so these vegetables can be distributed to child nutrition programs.

Read the full article from the Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center:

Women Changing the Food System in New York City