Work With Us

Faculty Affiliates 

The Center brings together faculty to address some of today’s most pressing challenges at the intersection of food systems, nutrition security, and health. As a faculty affiliate, you will join a collaborative network that connects research with real-world impact through partnerships with farmers, communities, and organizations across Illinois, and beyond. The Center offers opportunities to advance interdisciplinary scholarship, pursue innovative projects, secure funding, and translate research into practice through education, workforce development, and community and student engagement. Whether your expertise lies in agriculture, health, nutrition, policy, systems, data science, education, or another field, the Center provides a dynamic environment to expand your research, build meaningful partnerships, and contribute to solutions that strengthen food systems, improve access to high-quality food, and enhance the well-being of people and communities across Illinois and beyond. 

For more information, contact Caitlin Kownacki. 

Community Partners

Community partners play a vital role in advancing the Center 's mission to strengthen food systems, improve nutrition security, and enhance community health across Illinois. We work alongside community organizations, nonprofit agencies, healthcare partners, food assistance programs, farm service organizations, and other stakeholders to connect research with real-world solutions. Partners can collaborate on community-based programs, workforce development initiatives, research and planning initiatives, food access efforts, and other innovative solutions that address local nutrition and health needs.

Partner with us in a variety of ways, including opportunities to share expertise, build meaningful connections, access research-based resources, and create lasting impact for the individuals and communities they serve. Together, we can develop innovative solutions that improve access to high-quality food and support healthier, more resilient communities throughout Illinois. 

For more information, contact Kaitlyn Streitmatter. 

Support Our Mission

Support our mission!  Through strategic investments and partnerships, supporters can help expand research, evaluate and scale effective programs, strengthen the food and health workforce, and increase access to nutritious food for Illinois families. Together, we can build sustainable, community-centered solutions that translate research into action and create measurable improvements in health and well-being across the state.  

Ways to Partner

Partners can support the Center's future growth and impact through:

• Program sponsorships: Support trainings, conferences, community outreach initiatives, and professional development opportunities that strengthen local capacity.  
• Research and evaluation partnerships: Collaborate on applied research, community-based projects, program evaluation, and data-driven initiatives that advance food systems and nutrition security solutions.
• Foundation and grant investments: Partner with the Center on federal, state, and local funding opportunities, as well as philanthropic funding, to expand program reach and innovation.  
• Workforce development support: Invest in initiatives, such as Find Food IL Navigators and other training programs, that equip professionals to better serve their communities.  
• Student and community engagement: Support student internships and community-engaged learning experiences that prepare the next generation of leaders.  
• Corporate and philanthropic giving: Provide direct financial support, matching gifts, sponsorships, or donor-advised fund contributions to help sustain and grow the Center's work across Illinois.   

For more information, contact Kaitlyn Streitmatter.