June 5, 2023

Empire State University Launches Community Conversations, Opens with Food Insecurity

Empire State University graphic

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Empire State University is pleased to host Community Conversations, a new series that will explore some of the most pressing social issues of our time. The event debuts on Tuesday, June 6 with a discussion on food insecurity and a month-long food drive at several locations.

Community Conversations will examine ways that we — as individuals and a university — can help provide solutions to some of society’s most challenging issues. Community Conversations will be led by our alumni, faculty, staff, or students and is hosted by the university’s Office of Advancement.

The inaugural event will feature a discussion about food insecurity led by two faculty members at SUNY Empire. It will be held Tuesday, June 6, from 1 to 2 p.m. and is titled “Beyond the Refrigerator: Exploring Food Insecurity in Today’s World.” Members of the public are invited.

The speakers are Himanee Gupta, Ph.D., an associate professor of Asian American and U.S. history and this year’s Susan H. Turben Chair in Mentoring, as well as a farmer, and author of the upcoming book “A Hip Hop of Food” about social justice through food security; and Duncan RyanMann, Ph.D., a faculty member in business, management, and economics who worked at a community supported agriculture farm for over 20 years. They will explore the extent and impact of food insecurity in our society. The conversation will include a discussion on how people can get involved to address this issue. A Q&A will follow the presentation.

The event kicks off a month-long internal staff effort by SUNY Empire to collect non-perishable food for local organizations. The collection drive will run through June 30 and benefit nonprofits around the state, including FeedMore WNY in Buffalo, Beyond the Sanctuary in Rochester, Long Island Cares in Hauppauge, and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY in Latham.

This event is free and open to the public. Those who want to attend should contact Timothy Cosgriff, director of Community Events at timothy.cosgriff@SUNYEmpire.edu or 585-224-3271.