How Policy Affects Food Access Friday, December 1, 2023, 3:30 - 4:45 PM, Cumberland University Alumni Hall

Kate Goodin has worked to improve food systems for families and kids since 2012 and believes everyone should have access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally relevant food. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Tennessee is Kate’s fourth (and hopefully last!) southern state of residence.

Kate graduated from Tulane University in 2012 and began her career leading cooking and nutrition classes at Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans. She worked to create the food bank’s first nutrition department, nutrition policy, and nutritional rating system. This work on systems-level change piqued her interest in advocacy, and prior to moving to Nashville, she worked as the No Kid Hungry Kentucky Campaign Director at Feeding Kentucky. At Feeding Kentucky, she worked to enhance food security for children through statewide food security initiatives that improved, promoted, and expanded Kentucky’s participation in federal nutrition programs. In 2022, Kate successfully spearheaded a state advocacy campaign to eliminate barriers to school breakfast and expanded access for over 270,000 Kentucky kids. Kate received the “Friend of SNA” award from the Kentucky School Nutrition Association for her legislative efforts. Her work has been highlighted by Share Our Strength, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the Farm to School Network, the School Nutrition Association, and the American Public Health Association.