The purpose of the Food Equity Specialist program is to provide participants with an interdisciplinary perspective of food equity in the United States and increase their understanding and competency about this issue. This program was developed and is administered by the USDA-funded Center for Food Conservation and Waste Reduction. 

Curriculum Outline: 
The training program is a weekly online synchronous class (~1 1/2 to 2 hours) for 9 weeks plus a post-training research project. The 9-weeks include an orientation in week 1 and recap in week 9 with the following topics weeks 2 to 7:
1. Sustainable U.S. Food System
2. Food security and social determinants of health
3. Nutrition, Disease, and Health Disparities
4. Food Equity
5. Food Waste and Conservation
6. Community organizations involved in food equity
7. Policies related to food equity
Additionally, participants will engage in a post-training research project related to household food waste or other food equity topic to earn their certificate.  

Expectations: 
Participants will be expected to complete weekly pre-readings, participate in Q&A during the Zoom meeting based on the weekly topics, complete a weekly reflection based on the week's topic, complete pre- and post-program and weekly session surveys, 

Prerequisites: 
Participants must apply to the program and be selected by the program's administrator to participate. to apply, please contact Karen Byrd, at ksbyrd@purdue.edu .