​Food Studies

​David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Explore contemporary food issues and prepare to affect positive change on local, national, and global levels.

The food studies program takes a holistic, multi-level approach to food, from production through consumption, and gives students an understanding of food, politics, and governance; and community food systems and gastronomy.

Through courses, fieldwork, research, and practicum experiences, you will develop marketable skills designed to prepare you for careers in:

  • Food politics: Develop regulations for the production, control, inspection, distribution and consumption of food as part of a government agency.
  • Agroecology: Promote the development and implementation of sustainable and eco-friendly practices for food production.
  • Food security: Advocate to ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable, nutritious, and satisfying food.
  • Food Business: Manage commercial food operations in a sustainable manner.

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After delving into classes at Syracuse dealing with how nutrition affects the body, I found myself interested in the social, economic and political aspects of food as well.

—Anna Delapaz ’17, Food Studies and Nutrition

About Falk

Social justice principles are at the foundation of programs in child and family studies, food studies, marriage and family therapy, public health, nutrition, social work, and sport management. Academics, service learning projects, internships, research opportunities, and clubs connected to our majors prepare students for careers to make a difference in the communities where they will live and work.

Learn more about the food studies program.

Courses

Core coursework covers agroecology, gastronomy, and nutrition. Sample courses include:

  • Nutrition in Health
  • Food, Identity, and Power
  • Farm to Fork
  • Food Cooperatives
  • Feeding the City: Urban Food Systems
  • Emergency Feeding Systems
  • Human Right to Food and Nutrition

View official major requirements. 

Practical Experience

In addition to coursework, the food studies program offers research and field experiences that help students explore and understand the extensive food industry.

  • Get involved in campus food choices and promote sustainable food systems as a member of BrainFeeders —the first academically recognized food studies club in the country.
  • Gain experience working on an urban farm at the local Southwest Community Farm.
  • Participate in the James Beard Empire State Feast Event in NYC.
  • Intern at local farms, food distributors and retail outlets including the Central New York Regional Market, the CNY Food Bank, and the Syracuse Real Food Coop.

Study Abroad

Broaden your perspective and enhance your resume with a study abroad experience during your college years. Consistently ranked among the top 25 international education providers in the U.S., Syracuse Abroad has more than 100 programs in 60 countries. 

Food studies majors most often go abroad to Syracuse University centers in Florence and London, and to our World Partner programs CEDEI Semester in the Andes (Cuenca, Ecuador), Tel Aviv University, and the University of New South Wales. Summer programs of interest may include Mediterranean Food and Culture: An Italian Experience (Florence). Explore all study abroad opportunities.

Life After Syracuse University

With a degree in food studies, you can pursue careers such as:

  • Community educator
  • Cooperative extension coordinator
  • Food Policy specialist
  • Food production manager

Or continue your education and earn a graduate degree in areas such as business, research, public health, or public administration. Recent graduates of the program have attended some of the top graduate schools in the U.S.