We engage students in topical food law and policy issues through our clinic and courses.

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Food Law & Policy Clinic and Courses

The Food Law and Policy Clinic is a clinical teaching program of Harvard Law School. Our expert faculty and clinical team lead and teach several Harvard Law School courses and an associated clinic, providing students with comprehensive learning opportunities in food law and related policy advocacy.

Food Law and Policy Clinic

Semesters Offered: Spring and Fall

Clinical Credits: 3, 4, or 5

The Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) provides students with the opportunity to practice using legal and policy tools in order to address the health, environmental, and economic impacts of our food system.

Students enrolled in the clinic get hands-on learning experience conducting legal and policy research for individuals, communities, and governments on a wide range of food law and policy issues. For example, students have the opportunity to: comment on major federal regulations, such as the Food and Drug Administration rules impacting food safety on the farm; identify and promote creative policies to reduce the 40% of food that goes to waste in the U.S.; train and empower food policy councils and other community coalitions to achieve their food system goals; and research and recommend policies increasing access to healthy food at all levels of government.

Students develop a variety of transferable skills in areas such as research, writing, creative problem-solving, project management, oral communication, and leadership. Specifically, students have opportunities to draft memoranda, white papers, and regulatory comments; conduct statutory interpretation; compose legislation and regulations; petition for agency rulemaking or enforcement actions; conduct interviews and fact-finding; and prepare and train communities about civic engagement, the food system, and policy change.

Learn More About the Food Law and Policy Clinic

Overall, I really enjoyed my semester working on the FIM project. Not only does FIM intersect with so many of my interests, but the team, support, and mentorship of the clinic was amazing. I realize there was a learning curve in the beginning and learning was definitely an ongoing process, so I greatly appreciate the patience and guidance provided by Heather and Erika. I never felt hesitant to reach out or ask questions when needed. I also loved the experiential learning, the ability to work with the states of Alaska and Oklahoma, as well as interview FreshRx. While it felt like there were a lot of deliverables, I did enjoy working on important, diverse skillsets. I feel my written and verbal deliverables improved throughout these semester which could not have been done without the great mentorship I received. I felt the semester was a great learning opportunity and challenge, one that really forces you to grow and improve – sometimes in ways I didn’t even know I needed to!

—Natalie Ball, FLPC Fall 2023

Overall, I had an incredible and rewarding experience with the clinic and FIM project. I had been waiting almost 2 years to take it, and it was well worth it and definitely a highlight of my entire 3-year MPP/MBA experience. In particular, I was grateful for a safe work environment to make mistakes but also opportunity to challenge myself to learn much more in depth about parts of the food system that I was unfamiliar with. I also found working on different types of work within the FIM project (the landscaping presentations in addition to the research memo) to be interesting and exciting. I loved the round tables and opportunity to learn from what the other project teams worked on.

—Morgan Zaidel, FLPC Fall 2023

"I was interested in working on (the Atlas) project because during undergrad I was really involved with actually setting up a food bank on campus, picking the right location, getting the funding. And I recognized how much food insecurity really impacted my community there. So working on food loss and waste and food insecurity abroad really appealed to me for that reason."

—Mady Womack, FLPC Fall 2023

“As someone who came into HLS with a strong interest in food law & policy, my time at FLPC both affirmed my desire to build a career doing food law & policy work and allowed me to explore the field and develop new passions and interests. I feel so grateful to have been able to have FLPC as an anchor for my HLS experience, and also to have been offered the support, mentorship, and freedom to explore new interests and try new things.”

—Liz Turner, FLPC, 2023

“I absolutely loved my five semesters at the food law clinic. My time at the clinic was the best part of law school and definitely the most rewarding. It was incredible to see so many large projects from start to finish and work with amazing people, both in the clinic and our outside partners. I am so appreciative for all that I learned. FLPC provided so many opportunities to learn about my favorite topic and to develop new skillsets that will be incredibly useful to me in the future. I absolutely loved working with the food waste team each semester and I hope the next food waste team is amazing and carries on the fantastic work the clinic does!”

—Sophie DeBode, FLPC, 2023

“I absolutely loved working with the Food Law and Policy Clinic. Because I was able to work on three separate projects, I gained substantive knowledge and different skill sets from my work in all these areas. The Clinic definitely gives you back what you put in.”

—Daniel Aaron, FLPC, 2019

“During a challenging and isolating year, FLPC provided me with a sense of community and purpose. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a clinical student and grew more than I could have imagined. I cannot thank my supervisors and peers enough for their guidance, commitment, and patience.”

—Ata Nalbantoglu, FLPC, 2021

“My experience in FLPC was invaluable, and one that I am looking forward to continuing over the summer. I could not have asked for more patient, encouraging, or accessible supervisors. They were always available to deliver thoughtful feedback and helped me to improve my output across the entirety of the semester. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them and hope to do so again in the future.”

—Vrushab Gowda, FLPC, 2021

“I loved this clinic, the diversity of projects, and I only wish I found it sooner in law school. I would love to do this work for the rest of my career. Everyone was wonderful to work with and I can only hope to find such a wonderful working environment again! Because of the structure of the clinic, I was able to learn from everyone's projects, and gain a better understanding of food policy from a state, national, and international perspective. I also appreciated the opportunity to improve my legal research and writing skills.”

—Kerensa Gimre, FLPC, 2021

Courses

Food Law and Policy Seminar

Taught by Professor Emily Broad Leib

Semesters Offered: Fall and Spring

Course Credits: 2

The Food Law and Policy Seminar presents an overview of topics in food law and policy, and examines how these laws shape what we eat. In the past few years, major news stories have covered the U.S. farm bill, labeling of genetically engineered food products, sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, efforts to regulate school meals, and the misleading and unregulated terrain of expiration dates. In order to better understand these issues, their legal underpinnings, and relevant policy considerations, we examine food policy via the lenses of farmers, consumers, and corporations, as well as using diverse disciplinary perspectives.

Policy Advocacy Workshop

Taught by Professor Emily Broad Leib and Sharon Block.

Semester Offered: Spring

Course Credits: 2

The Policy Advocacy Workshop is a hands-on seminar that explores the methods, tools, and skills used to conduct legislative and regulatory advocacy. Many law students are interested in using their legal education as a pathway to engage in policymaking. This course provides students with a range of active opportunities to learn about, discuss, and practice written and oral policy advocacy via simulations and assignments.

Food System Workers Reading Group

Semester Offered: Spring

Course Credits: 1

This reading group provides an overview of different sectors of the food system and how law and policy impact workers employed in those sectors. As the COVID-19 pandemic made palpable, the U.S. food system depends on the essential labor of these individuals. Despite the critical role they play, food system workers face some of the worst wages and working conditions in the country. A core facet of the reading group will be examining the role race and racism have had, and continue to have, in shaping this system.

Accessibility

Harvard Law School is committed to the full inclusion of students with disabilities in the life of the University. Students requesting accessibility resources or accommodations in any of HLS’s Clinical and Pro Bono Programs may work with Accessibility Services in the Dean of Students Office. If you are a student with a documented disability and you are requesting accommodations, please contact HLS Accessibility Services to discuss and register for accommodations.