Food Systems for Change

Are you passionate about food’s ability to spark change? JWU Providence’s Sustainable Food Systems bachelor of science (B.S.) prepares you to lead in an evolving food landscape. Grounded in professional kitchens, farms and community-based action, this interdisciplinary program examines the connections between food, culture, policy, the environment and public health.

Alongside foundational culinary or pastry labs and immersive farm-to-table experiences, students gain a deep understanding of the interconnections between food production and equity, supply-chain infrastructure, sustainable development, social justice, and human health.

Rooted in experiential learning and systems thinking, you’ll develop the practical cooking skills and systems-level knowledge needed to build more resilient and equitable food systems — and pursue diverse career pathways in food strategy, policy, entrepreneurship, sustainability education and beyond.

Program culminates in a 12-credit internship focused on food production, policy or advocacy.

Begin with skill-building foundations in Culinary Arts or Baking & Pastry Arts, followed by interdisciplinary Farm-to-Table labs and hands-on Food Systems coursework.

Arts & Sciences core curriculum includes communications, integrative learning, arts & humanities, math, social sciences and science.

24 credits of free electives to choose an area of focus, work toward advanced degree progress or take other advisor-recommended courses.

Action-Based Approach to Sustainability

At JWU, sustainability is not taught as an abstract concept — you will learn by doing. Sustainable Food Systems takes you out of the classroom to local farms, ocean estuaries, and community food hubs to explore the challenges and complexities of producing food from the people who do it. In addition, you will build cooking and baking skills in professional kitchens, conceptualize seasonal dishes in farm-to-table labs, and apply systems thinking to real-world production, policy and community health challenges.

Professor Branden Lewis, program lead and faculty mentor, emphasizes that the program is designed to move students beyond theory and into action: “Understanding the politics of food matters — but real change happens when students also have the skills to act.”

Through applied projects, leadership-focused coursework and experiential learning, you will develop the ability to translate knowledge into action. Graduates leave prepared to lead change as food system practitioners — whether in kitchens, farms, nonprofits, businesses or policy spaces — equipped to build stronger and more efficient food systems.

Career Options

• Farm to Table Chef
• Food Business Entrepreneur
• Food Education Coordinator
• Food Policy Analyst/Advocate
• Food/Culinary Program Lead
• Food Innovation Consultant
• Supply Chain Strategist
• Sustainability Manager

_{Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.}

Find Your Area of Focus

Within the Sustainable Food Systems curriculum, you have 24 free elective credits to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.

Working with your advisor, explore courses across the university, including study abroad or exchange experiences, additional internships, or a deeper dive into specialized areas of focus to build a personalized and market-ready skillset.

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Recommended areas of interest for Sustainable Food Systems majors include: 

• Minor: Entrepreneurship
  Learn how to conceptualize, pitch, finance and manage new ventures. Opens doors to roles like founding your own sustainable food startup, becoming a business development manager for a regenerative-agriculture enterprise, launching a food-tech platform, or working as an entrepreneurial leader within a larger food-system organization.
  
  
• Minor: Nutrition
  Gain a strong science-based complement by deepening your understanding of how food impacts health, communities and ecosystems. Opens doors to roles like wellness or nutrition program coordinator in food systems enterprises, food industry sustainability consultant, healthy menu developer for food service organizations, or community food & health advocate.
  
  
• Minor: Political Science
  Develop a stronger understanding of how policy, governance and social justice shape food systems to pursue careers in food-system consulting, policy or advocacy roles in government and NGOs, or leadership positions in sustainable food enterprises.
  
  
• Minor: Public Health
  Gaining knowledge of epidemiology, health policy, program planning and the social determinants of health opens doors to potential roles in community health, food-policy analysis, sustainable-food enterprises or community wellness-focused nonprofits.
  
  
• Minor: Supply Chain Management
  Learning to manage the flow of materials, information and finances directly complements a focus on food production, sustainability and food-system dynamics. Opens doors to roles like sustainable procurement specialist, supply-chain analyst in food & beverage, or operations/fulfillment manager for companies focused on local/regenerative food systems.
  
  
• Accelerated Graduate Programming Options: Get a head start on graduate studies as an undergraduate with the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Food Systems Studies, which can count toward the master’s program in Food Systems Innovation & Leadership; or pursue an accelerated dual-degree pathway to earn your B.S. and Juris Doctorate in six years through a combined food systems and legal studies articulation pathway — preparing you to tackle complex issues in food policy, sustainability law and regulatory compliance in partnership with Roger Williams University and UMass Law.

Faculty Contact

Providence

Professor Branden Lewis, Ed.D., CEC
401-598-1972
Email