The Rural Sociological Society (RSS) honored Rick Welsh, Ph.D., professor of food studies in the Falk College’s Department of Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition, for exceptional contributions to the field of rural sociology with the 2013 Fred Buttel Outstanding Scholarly Achievement Award. This distinguished honor recognizes excellence in scholarly work in the same spirit exemplified by the late Fred Buttel, a prominent scholar of the sociology of agriculture and environmental sociology. The award was presented to Welsh and co-investigators Leland L. Glenna, David Ervin, William B. Lacy and Dina Biscotti at the annual meeting of RSS in August 2013…

The barriers to women’s access to adequate food and nutrition were the focus of a presentation by Anne C. Bellows, Ph.D., Falk College professor of food studies, at the United Nation’s forum series: The Future of Global Food Policy this spring. Bellows’ presentation entitled, “Eating, Feeding, Being Fed: Gender, Nutrition and the Human Right to Adequate Food,” explored why the food and nutrition status of women and girls is not improving despite a global call for the inclusion of women and an international gender perspective. “Institutionalized gender discrimination and structural violence impose barriers to women enjoying the right to adequate…

Hospitality and food studies instructor, Mary Ann Kiernan, was honored with the Presidential Medallion from the National American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF President Michael Ty recognized her dedication to the Syracuse ACF chapter and the success of the northeast regional conference, which was held recently at the Turning Stone Casino with over 700 professional chefs in attendance. In 1991, Jack Braun, then national ACF president, introduced the ACF President’s Medallions as tokens of appreciation, and to honor those who exemplify culinary excellence and leadership, and have contributed their knowledge, skills and expertise to the advancement of the culinary profession.

Chef instructor Chris Uyehara, Department of Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition, is part of a team competing in the 2012 World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska. The event includes 38 teams participating from the U.S. as well as China, Russia, Japan, Portugal and Spain. Uyehara began competing internationally in 2008 and has earned numerous prestigious awards for his ice creations, including a gold medal at the 26th Annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China as well as honors from the World Ice Art Championships, and the Crystal Garden International Ice Carving Competition in Ottawa.