On Thursday, September 17, 2015, the Family Resiliency Center and the Christopher Family Foundation hosted the Food & Family Conference at the University Club of Chicago. Attendees included nutrition professionals, foodbank staff, industry representatives, early-care advocates, extension educators, and academics. All were able to hear from some of the nation’s leading experts in human nutrition, obesity research, and child and family health. Additionally, attendees learned about new funding opportunities and the latest research on:
- The challenges and solutions to promoting healthy eating
- How to connect food and families in positive ways
- The challenges of feeding children in a variety of settings
Presentations
Welcome from Doris Kelley Christopher, Founder of the Pampered Chef
Setting the Stage—Connecting Food and Family in Positive Ways
Dr. Barbara Fiese, Former Director of the Family Resiliency Center at Illinois
The Changing Food Environment: Pediatric Nutrition
Dr. Sharon Donovan, University of Illinois
The Changing Food Environment: Picky Eating
Dr. Soo-Yeun Lee, University of Illinois
The Changing Food Environment: Media/Advertising
Dr. Ellen Wartella, Northwestern University
The Changing Food Environment: Immigrant Families and Acculturation
Dr. Norma Olvera, University of Houston
The Changing Food Environment: Discussion/Questions Panel
Dr. Marian Fitzgibbon, Moderator, University of Illinois Chicago
Luncheon Speaker: Food Insecurity and Families
Jeremy Everett, Texas Hunger Initiative
Side-by-Side Keynote: Feeding Children and Families
Dr. Sheryl Hughes, Baylor University; and Dr. Jennifer Fisher, Temple University
Mealtime Contexts: School/Child Care
Dr. Dipti Dev, University of Nebraska
Mealtime Contexts: Food Programs
Dr. Rachel Gordon, University of Illinois Chicago
The Big Picture—Policy and Beyond
Maria Whelan, Illinois Action for Children