Collin Riggins ’24
Undeclared
World Wildlife Fund: Indoor Soilless Agriculture Project
I worked on a project by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to establish urban agriculture in St. Louis by building coalitions in support of local food-accessibility efforts. Given that “food apartheid” most often impacts predominantly Black communities, my contribution centered around incorporating a racial justice component to WWF’s work. I spent time researching impacts of food insecurity on the Black community by analyzing data from the City of St. Louis Department of Health regarding health outcomes and racial demographics. I conducted video interviews online with St. Louis residents affected by food insecurity and various individuals working to promote food justice. I established these connections by reaching out to local professors, not-for-profit organizations, government officials and more. I compiled my findings into a final presentation for the WWF Markets Institute. I also created infographics that break down food insecurity in relation to racial justice that will be used by WWF in their future advocacy efforts. Through this experience, I met incredible people dedicated to a more equitable future and greatly expanded my outlook on what racial justice entails.
2020
Food Systems, Water And Human Health
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Julia Kurnik, Director, Innovation Startups, WWF