Shaping the laws and policies that govern our food system.
What We Do
Since 2010, the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) has served partner organizations and communities in the U.S. and around the world by providing guidance on cutting-edge food system issues, while engaging law students in the practice of food law and policy. FLPC is committed to advancing a cross-sector, multi-disciplinary and inclusive approach to its work, building partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, private sector actors, and civil society with expertise in public health, the environment, and the economy. FLPC’s work focuses on increasing access to nutritious foods, addressing the climate-related impacts of food and agricultural systems, reducing waste of healthy, wholesome food, and promoting food system justice.
As a teaching clinic of Harvard Law School, FLPC also seeds the next generation of food law experts by engaging law students in conducting these projects, providing mentorship and action-learning opportunities.
FLPC is humbled to work with some of the world’s leading organizations, helping to promote innovative and meaningful growth in the food law and policy space. This includes past and ongoing collaborations with NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), ReFED, World Wildlife Fund, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center at Alcorn State University, the Navajo Nation, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, The Global FoodBanking Network, the Mississippi Food Policy Council, the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, Appalachian Diabetes Coalitions, Boston Office of Food Justice, Center for EcoTechnology, Community Servings, and many others. We encourage those interested in working with FLPC or organizations that need legal and policy assistance to improve food systems to contact us at flpc@law.harvard.edu.
Food Law & Policy
Focus Areas
Approximately one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted. We are at the forefront of policy efforts to reduce food waste and promote the recovery of wholesome food in the United States and around the world.
Creating a just food system involves dismantling systems of oppression at all stages of the food supply chain and supporting advocacy led by communities most impacted by these systems. We work with communities and workers throughout the food system to advance the changes they care about most through policy support and advocacy.
Understanding the role that nutrition plays in shaping health outcomes, we identify and promote key legal and policy levers that increase the quality of the food supply as well as people’s physical and economic access to nutritious and safe foods.
Food and agricultural systems have a major impact on the climate and sustainability of our planet. We promote food policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect finite resources like land and water, and ensure food access for generations to come.
Students: Learn About Our Clinic & Courses
As a clinical teaching program of Harvard Law School, FLPC provides a range of learning opportunities and experiences for students interested in food law, policy, and advocacy. Learn about our Food Law and Policy Clinic, as well as the courses taught by our faculty and staff.
Featured Project
The Global Food Donation Policy Atlas
FLPC recently published new research from The Global Food Donation Policy Atlas project, a first-of-its-kind initiative comparing food donation laws and policies across the globe.
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Looking for Food Law & Policy events?
Food Law & Policy, Commentary
State by State: New Toolkit Aims to Combat Food Waste in Mexico
December 16, 2024