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Feedback Loops & Food Access

Portrait of Gwen Donley.

Gwendolyn Donley

2019-2022 FFAR Fellow

Determining Environmental and Biological Conditions Influencing Lettuce Discoloration, Yield and Leaf Quality

Year Awarded  2020

FFAR award amount   $2,591,231

Total award amount   $4,792,131

Location   Washington, D.C.

Matching Funders   Aerofarms, Fluence, GreenVenus, Priva, BASF

Grantee Institution   Aerofarms

Lettuce is a popular vegetable in the U.S., but much of the produce is not marketable because lettuce leaves discolor after harvest. Our Precision Indoor Plants (PIP) Consortium is researching ways to prevent discoloration in indoor-grown lettuce, while increasing lettuce yield and leaf quality. This is the first project funded by the PIP Consortium.

Enhancing Human Health and Nutrition from Soil to Society Using Quinoa as a Model Crop Species

Year Awarded  2020

FFAR award amount   $1,000,000

Total award amount   $2,044,872

Location   Pullman, WA

Program   Seeding Solutions

Matching Funders   Lundberg Family Farms, Washington State University

Grantee Institution   Washington State University

Despite its popularity and nutritional content, quinoa is still underutilized because it is imported, even though nutritious, high-quality varieties can grow and thrive in this country. Washington State University researchers are growing new quinoa varieties and analyzing them for amino acid and micronutrient concentrations. The researchers are testing soil and nutrient management practices that enhance the crops’ nutritional values while also improving yield. Thousands of quinoa varieties are being evaluated in diverse soil types and unique environments.

FFAR Funds Novel Supply-Demand Technology, Connecting Institutional Buyers to Specialty Crop Farmers

Year Awarded  2020

FFAR award amount   $2,000,000

Total award amount   $4,000,000

Location   Memphis, TN

Matching Funders   AgLaunch, Mississippi State University, The Seam, Tennessee State University, Wallace Center at Winrock International, Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Grantee Institution   AgLaunch

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated that greater tools are needed to ensure flexibility in the food supply chain during major crises to ensure both economic security for farmers and food security for consumers. The Open Market Consortium (OMC)is developing and piloting an open-source, public-access blockchain system to connect small and mid-size farmers to institutional buyers and minimize supply disruptions. OMC, led by AgLaunch Initiative, includes founding members Mississippi State University, The Seam, Tennessee State University and the Wallace Center at Winrock International.

FFAR Funds Dashboards to Track Food Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Year Awarded  2020

FFAR award amount   $221,743

Total award amount   $506,743

Location   West Lafayette, IN

Matching Funders   Microsoft

Grantee Institution   Purdue University

Food processing disruptions caused by COVID-19 outbreaks highlight the need for better real-time monitoring and reporting of the status of the food supply chain to prevent or mitigate food crises. Purdue University researchers are creating a series of open-access online dashboards that help quantify and illustrate potential disruptions to the food supply chain. The dashboards will focus on COVID-19 but have the flexibility to be tailored to suit future market disruptions.

Understanding & Reducing Consumer Food Waste

Year Awarded  2019

FFAR award amount   $336,000

Total award amount   $673,000

Location   Washington, D.C.

Matching Funders   Walmart Foundation

Grantee Institution   National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (National Academies) is conducting a study to identify how consumers behave toward food and opportunities for system changes. The multidisciplinary, expert committee is examining existing data, information and research on consumer food waste. The resulting report includes recommendations that institutions – such as industry associations, schools and government agencies – can implement to help consumers reduce food waste.

Increasing Dietary Fiber in Wheat Crop

Year Awarded  2019

FFAR award amount   $479,997

Total award amount   $959,997

Location   Davis, CA

Program   Seeding Solutions

Matching Funders   Bay State Milling, California Wheat Commission, Limagrain Cereal Seeds

Grantee Institution   University of California Davis

Diets lacking fiber can lead to life-threatening health concerns. The federal Dietary Guidelines recommends that women consume 25 grams of fiber daily and men consume 38 grams; yet Americans only consume 30 percent of the recommended daily amount of fiber. University of California, researchers are investigating ways to increase wheat dietary fiber using modified starch synthesis enzymes.

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research Announces 100th Grant

FFAR Awards 100th Grant to Support Sustainable Agriculture in Blackfeet Nation

FFAR Grant Reframes Polarized Public Food Narrative