Recently Taylor Thigpen ‘24 earned the opportunity to attend the World Food Forum in Rome, Italy. Please read below for Taylor’s recap of his incredible experience!
The United Nations shares that over 700 million people around the globe suffer from food insecurity, yet at the same time the irony of food waste continues to rise tremendously across the globe. I have always been passionate about addressing the inequalities that arise in our society, particularly working on projects to end food insecurity and food waste. One example was the “share table” concept I developed at a young age. It began with Clay County public schools, creating a table where students could put leftover, sanitary foods they did not want for other students to take home. I then would connect the schools with organizations to get grant funding to pay for the supplies needed, such as refrigerators and transportation equipment. As this idea began to take off across the state, I had to challenge and address issues with our state's food safety laws, even speaking to the Florida Senate about needed change for our schools food programs. After accepting my invitation and obtaining security clearance, On October 13th I boarded a plane from Indiana to a country in which I did not speak the language and a place I knew nobody to attend The World Food Forum in Rome, Italy. The forum brought together leaders and government officials from over 100 countries to help discuss and solve these issues of, “good food for all, today and tomorrow.” The event took place in the heart of Rome, at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. I was a part of a small cohort representing North America, with a particular mindset of representing the work of the USDA and 4-H program.
In my new role, I work directly with the United States 4-H Board of Trustees, continuing to build programs for our 6.5 million youth around the country, preparing them to become beyond ready to solve our nation's issues. Our mission of youth development is extremely important to me, especially as I personally have benefited through the program's offerings and experienced the impact it has on young people during my past role as State President of Florida 4-H. At the conference, I spoke as a representative for the United States about my work running a social venture, the leading youth development program and the importance of preparing young people to be leaders and address issues around agriculture and food security. Our work in food security is directly related to national security of our country and equally important to create opportunities for diverse voices on the topics. One of the biggest highlights of the WFF was meeting this diverse group of leaders who are changing our world for the better, including meeting with the U.S ambassador to Rome and the prime minister of Thailand to discuss their new initiatives for moving countries forward for building sustainable food productions.
Importantly, if you get the opportunity to travel, work should never be the only thing getting accomplished. I spent much time ‘solo traveling’ around Rome, trying new foods, especially eating lots of tiramisu. The architecture was absolutely amazing, and the rich history of Rome and the Vatican is something that must be seen. Although I arrived knowing nobody, I left with connections from across the world. As I fly back to Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana I look forward to looking at sustainability in food waste in my new community and continuing to enrich myself in my Global Affairs major. Especially focusing on the Keough school of GA’s mission of “Integral Human Development,” focusing on every person as an equal human with dignity. My biggest recommendation for my class of ‘24 and other St. Johns alumni is, especially while you are young, to seek out and take every opportunity you can to travel outside your bubble. The experiences and variety of people you meet really resonate with you for the rest of your life.
- Alumni