The Grapevine is written and published by Program in Nutrition students.  The Spring 2021 issue calls on its readers to question their personal biases and role in our food system as health educators and highlights the strength in our diversity, thinking, and paths as nutrition students and professionals. 

We have successfully made it through another academic year during a difficult time. While we continue to face uncertainty in what lies ahead, I have continued to be inspired by the support, uplifting attitude, and open-mindedness of our peers and faculty. And as we face civil unrest in our country, I am proud to be a part of a community that celebrates differences, pushes for cultural humility, and stands for equity and social justice across the many facets of our food system.

So for this Spring 2021 edition of The Grapevine, I wanted to call on its readers to question their personal biases and role in our food system as health educators. Throughout this issue, you will find: Cindy Zheng’s summary of Dr. Kate Burt’s article on the racial biases inherent to our promotion of the Med Diet; Evan Shaulson’s connection of his research on feeding circuits in rats and the corruption that occurs at the corporate level; and my piece calling on those of higher income to take on the burden of responsibility of climate change through dietary choices. While this issue is filled with articles highlighting some of the problems that occur across various steps of our food system and nutrition education, I still hope it leaves you uplifted. We have intertwined pieces that highlight the individual differences of our peers and offer them support in their accolades. Abigail Stasior opens up about the path to her successful business venture, offering tips to her peers along the way for how to maximize social media; TC dietetic intern, Jamie Gershel, provides reflection and advice for upcoming DI students; and Jiakun Yi discusses his cultural food experience in Peru and Brazil, tying it to the influence of Asian culture in these countries. This issue of The Grapevineis more personal than others, often calling on its writers, and thus our peers, to discuss their experiences and takeaways as nutrition students. And, in turn, I hope we can take the time to celebrate the diverse backgrounds, schools of thought, and paths in our community that come through in this edition.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this issue. I wish everyone a healthy and happy summer, and congratulations to those that have recently graduated. We will miss you!

- Amanda Wahlstedt, Editor-in-Chief

Read the publication here.