On the global stage, there is a silent tragedy of epic proportions being played out. It is a tale of how our food preferences — often shaped by forces outside our individual control — are unwittingly feeding into a cycle of nutrition and environmental crises.
But behind the scenes lies a titan waiting in the wings; the forgotten force shaping our food choices: culture.
The playwrights — the commercial and governmental architects of a damaging food system — must flip the script, spotlight this crucial missing element in our understanding of food, and bring culture center stage to revitalize our food consumption habits.
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About the authors
Lawrence Haddad
Lawrence Haddad is a World Food Prize winner and has been GAIN’s executive director since 2016. Haddad chaired Action Track 1 Ending Hunger and Malnutrition at the 2021 U.N. Food Systems Summit. In 2022, he was awarded a CMG for “services to international agriculture and nutrition” by King Charles III of the United Kingdom. Before GAIN, Haddad co-founded the Global Nutrition Report, was director of the Institute of Development Studies, and was director of the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Division of Food Consumption and Nutrition. An economist, Haddad completed his Ph.D. in Food Research at Stanford University in 1988.
Gunhild Stordalen
Gunhild Stordalen, the founder and executive chair of EAT, is a visionary leader at the forefront of transforming the global food system. Recognized for her pioneering role in linking climate, health, and sustainability, Gunhild co-established the Stordalen Foundation in 2011. A distinguished scientist, Gunhild's impactful journey has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2019 U.N. Foundation Global Leadership Award.
Dan LeClair
Dan LeClair is the CEO of the Global Business School Network and is a seasoned leader with a rich background in academia and organizational strategy. Formerly an executive VP at AACSB International, overseeing 1,600 business schools in over 100 countries, Dan served in key roles such as chief strategy and innovation Officer, chief operating officer, and chief knowledge officer. A Ph.D. holder from the University of Florida, Dan continues to drive innovation in management education.
