2024 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
June 11-13, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Convention Center
Becky Garrison Warfel
Director of Public Policy – Nutrition, Food Systems & Food Safety
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
Bio:
Becky Garrison Warfel is the Director of Public Policy at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), where she leads bipartisan initiatives on nutrition security, food systems, and food safety. Joining NASDA in September 2023, Becky brings a deep commitment to enhancing the intersection of nutrition and agriculture to address society's most pressing challenges.
As a registered dietitian since 2017, Becky's background spans roles in foodservice, SNAP-Education program development, and veteran-focused nutrition education. Before her role at NASDA, Becky served as the Director of Domestic Marketing at USA Pulses. There, she led national campaigns to increase consumer acceptance and consumption of beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Her strategies engaged and educated chefs, health professionals, school foodservice operators, food banks, policymakers, and media, significantly shaping federal nutrition policies and influencing consumer behavior during her tenure. Throughout all of her work, Becky is especially passionate about increasing the dignity around hunger and nutrition assistance programs, and reducing all-too-common stigmas that are associated.
Although agriculture was not originally in her plans, her expertise and passions have expanded to include advocacy for food systems and farmers. At NASDA, a bipartisan organization representing state agriculture directors, commissioners, and secretaries, Becky champions bipartisan leadership across industries and political divides. Her mission is to break down barriers and build bridges in agriculture and nutrition policy, strengthening local and regional food system resilience, and advocating for a safe, accessible food supply for all.
Originally from Idaho and the Pacific Northwest, Becky now resides in the DC area, fully immersed in her work on food and nutrition policy, while working to complete her Master’s in Public Administration. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, and river kayaking and camping with husband and their dog named Cowboy.
Schedule
Thursday, June 13
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Mainstage 4 & Closing Session | All Together Now: Scaling Action Through High-Value Partnerships & Collaborations
Mainstage Session
Food waste is a systemwide problem, which means no single individual, business, or policy can solve it alone. We can make more progress when we work together — across sectors and industries, and even by collaborating with competitors. Our closing session is all about the power of partners. Sustainability goals shouldn’t be a competitive issue, and you’ll walk away from this session inspired at what can be accomplished when they’re not.