August 21, 2025

Natalie Shaak, Associate Director of Communication and Administration at Drexel University’s Center for Hunger-Free Communities, presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall Meeting during a convergent symposium titled “Tackling World Hunger and Food Security: Reducing Food Waste.” The event brought together experts from the ACS Divisions of Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Agricultural and Food Chemistry to address global food insecurity and sustainable solutions.

Invited by USDA scientist and Drexel CNHP adjunct faculty member Dr. Michael Tunick, Shaak spoke on strengthening food security for low-income families through strategies that reduce food waste and expand choice. She emphasized the alarming reality that while millions of Americans experience food insecurity, the U.S. wastes enough food annually to feed those individuals more than three times over.

Shaak outlined systemic barriers—including logistics, restrictive policies, and gaps in coordination—that prevent surplus food from reaching families in need. Her presentation called for interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, nonprofits, academia, and industry to develop scalable solutions. The session concluded with a discussion of innovative strategies that go beyond traditional charity and nutrition education. Proposed solutions included:

• Improved food labeling to reduce unnecessary waste
• Consumer education on food donations Upcycling initiatives at food banks
• Technology-driven inventory systems to streamline distribution

These approaches aim to create sustainable, science-driven pathways to reduce food waste and strengthen food security for vulnerable populations.