{"id":9135,"date":"2019-05-09T17:44:01","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T21:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.foodmedcenter.org\/?p=9135"},"modified":"2022-06-17T14:59:12","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T18:59:12","slug":"interview-with-roy-steiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_mx\/interview-with-roy-steiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Roy Steiner, Managing Director of Food Initiatives at The Rockefeller Foundation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Roy Steiner is the Managing Director of Food Initiatives at the Rockefeller Center, where he and his team work to improve access to healthy food for people across the globe. His expertise lies in #global<\/a> #sustainable<\/a> #agriculture<\/a> and development, including farmer productivity, agronomy, irrigation and water management, and more. Among other projects, he and his team at Rockefeller are currently working on an initiative to bring about a “Green Revolution” in Africa. Prior to joining the Rockefeller Foundation, Roy worked as the Director of Intellectual Capital at the Omidyar Network, an impact investment firm. He also spent nearly a decade at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he served as the Deputy Director of the Agricultural Development Initiative. He played a key role in the creation of Ethiopia’s Agricultural Transformation Agency, an organization dedicated to growing the Ethiopian agricultural sector.<\/p>\n

Roy holds a PhD and MS in agricultural and biological engineering from Cornell University. I was fortunate enough to conduct an e-mail interview with him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Dr. Steiner, thanks for the opportunity to interview you. I would love to know how you became interested in food advocacy. Was it an early passion? Was there a trigger moment? What is your overall food philosophy?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: My interest in food and agriculture was strongly influenced by two forces in my early life. The first was my mother, who was a nurse, and who saw first-hand the impact of nutrition on human health. She was always concerned about healthy food and I grew up working in the local health food co-op she had joined. She was way ahead of her time in so many practices, including growing our own vegetables, making her own yogurt (which was still an unknown product back then), buying wheat and grinding it to make fresh bread and avoiding any meat grown with antibiotics. The second was working all my high school summers on a dairy farm and seeing what real agriculture means in practice and the huge challenges farmers face every day. By the time I was accepted at MIT I knew I wanted to contribute to food and agriculture because the potential for impact was so clear and the future of civilization depended on have a healthy #food system<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

My overall food philosophy is quite simple. Our current food system has been optimized for just two things \u2013 production (yield) and profit. It has not been optimized for nutrition, the environment, culture, or community. The challenge we all face is to optimize the food system across all six objectives and not just two, because the status quo is creating a food system that no one really wants. Getting that right \u2013 creating a food system that nourishes all people, protects and regenerates the environment and enables the flourishing of culture and community \u2013 will take tremendous collective effort, creativity and innovation. We need to transform a complex system, and that is rarely a simple, quick or easy thing to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

You spent three years at the Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment and social impact firm, and almost a decade at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where you led global agricultural development initiatives. What are a few of the key lessons you learned in those positions? What is different about your current work at the Rockefeller Foundation, and what do you hope to achieve during your tenure?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: Some of the key lessons included:<\/span><\/p>\n

1) <\/span> As a society we are woefully neglecting food and agriculture and can no longer do so without dire consequences. Despite the recent upsurge in interest in this sector, food and agriculture still receive only a tiny fraction of all research and investment funding despite the fact that it accounts for a major part of the economy and employment.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) <\/span> When we make the right investments, we can make dramatic improvements in the food system. For example, the Ethiopian Transformation Agency led efforts to improve Ethiopia\u2019s agricultural system, and in the last five years staple crop yields have more than doubled, child malnutrition is declining, and Ethiopia is even beginning to export surpluses in some commodities. This is happening in a country that is best known for its famines and pictures of starving children.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) <\/span> Development is not something that can be imposed from outside. People themselves must be protagonists in their own development. True development is not about yields or incomes; rather it is about increasing people\u2019s capacity to make better decisions for themselves \u2013 be they economic, social or spiritual.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) <\/span> We need to develop a more effective \u201csystem thinking\u201d practices – in other words, looking at how different parts of a system interact and influence each other within the whole – if we are to address the root cause issues in the food system.<\/span><\/p>\n

At The Rockefeller Foundation, I want to build upon these lessons and create a portfolio that will use the power of science and innovation to create a more nourishing, sustainable and equitable food system. One objective we are very interested in is increasing the production and consumption of nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and pulses. Our research system has overemphasized calories and meat, and the over-consumption of these two are contributing to the health and environmental crises we are currently facing.<\/span><\/p>\n

During your time at the Gates Foundation you stated that \u201c<\/b>you believed in the power of <\/b><\/a>#technology<\/a>.<\/b>\u201d Can you elaborate on the importance of technology, perhaps with a few examples from your own experience, as it relates to the global food system or helping underserved populations?<\/b>
\n<\/span>Roy Steiner: Technology is a tool that often acts as a multiplier of the underlying social capital that already exists in a society. In societies that are more equitable, technology will reinforce that value. However in inequitable societies, technology can often exacerbate the inequity.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we invest in technology, we always need to try and understand the second and third order impacts that those investments could have \u2013 something the techno-optimists of Silicon Valley have recently learned the hard way. (See<\/span> Ethical OS<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and innovation will be critical if we are actually to create a food system that optimizes nutrition and regenerates the environment. For example, we are using new metabolomics tools to understand how various soil management practices affect the nutritional content of the foods we eat. <\/span><\/p>\n

Based on your experience in global agriculture over<\/b> the past thirty years<\/b><\/a>, what do you think are the most exciting technology and data available to us today that we did not have a few decades ago?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner:<\/p>\n

1) \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The whole field of artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The microbiome \u2013 both human, soil and plant<\/span><\/p>\n

3) \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0New approaches to system analysis and system thinking<\/span><\/p>\n

In a blog post you wrote for the Rockefeller Foundation called<\/b> 4 Ways to Build a Food System for the Future<\/b><\/a> you said: \u201cOur population is climbing steadily toward 10 billion by 2050, potentially increasing the demand for food between 60 to 100%, all in the midst of unprecedented climate change that will tax even the most resilient systems. Today\u2019s food and agricultural systems are accountable for a quarter of the world\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of global freshwater use. Those same systems deplete soils, water quality, and natural habitats all across the world. At the same time, more than 800 million people around the world go to bed hungry each night\u2014a number that, worryingly, has increased in recent years\u2014while nearly 2 billion people suffer from [being] overweight.\u201d \u00a0You then offer four key ways to improve\/change these outcomes, including reducing food waste, increasing the popularity of flexitarian diets, preserving the health of the soil, and spreading technology to underserved areas. Did you get feedback from that post? Do you have any examples of communities, towns, cities, countries that are working towards implementing these suggestions? Is there any region or country that you think is doing farming, ag (in general) and food \u201cright\u201d \u2013 meaning a food system that is working and could be used as a model? And could you also please define what you think is \u201cright.\u201d
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: The response was very positive and, to your question, I think there are regions in almost every country that are doing some things right. Agriculture, by its very nature, is local, and therefore there is no single model that works everywhere. I really like the principles developed by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, which accepts that food systems are diverse and that the best ones will adhere to these principles:<\/span><\/p>\n

– \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Renewability: <\/span>Address the integrity of natural and social resources that are the foundation of a healthy planet and future generations in the face of changing global and local demands<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

– \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Resilience: <\/span>Support regenerative, durable, and economically adaptive systems in the face of a changing planet<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

– \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Equity: <\/span>Promote sustainable livelihoods and access to nutritious and just food systems for all<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

– \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Diversity: <\/span>Value our rich and diverse agricultural, ecological, and cultural heritage<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

– \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Healthfulness: <\/span>Advance the health and well-being of people, animals, the environment, and the societies that depend on all three<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

– \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Interconnectedness: <\/span>Understand the implications of the interdependence of food, people, and the planet in a transition to more sustainable food systems<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In your opinion, what is the number-one thing governments get wrong about agriculture and food?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: They 1) underinvest in food and agriculture and then 2) direct their limited investments to programs that don\u2019t optimize the existing food system \u2013 and usually benefit vested interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

In that same blog post, you stated that \u201cunconventional actors\u201d will play a significant role in transforming our food system. Who are the unconventional actors you\u2019re referring to?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: It means bringing together people from multiple disciplines to address food system issues \u2013 surprisingly, agriculturalists and nutritionists don\u2019t really talk with each other and doctors are given only four days of nutrition training in their four years of medical training. Getting all these disciplines, including adjacent disciplines like data science, microbiology and the culinary arts involved has incredible potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you tell us about<\/b> your book<\/b><\/a>, <\/b>Harnessing the Power of Collective Learning: Feedback, Accountability and Constituent Voice in Rural Development?<\/i><\/b> What exactly is collective learning and what is its role as it relates to food?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: This book grew out of the observation that systematic participation and feedback can often contribute to better-targeted, locally owned, and hence more sustainable projects. Over the past few decades, various approaches and research methodologies have been introduced to transform top-down projects\u2014in which farmers are the passive \u201crecipients\u201d of donor-driven programs\u2014to approaches<\/span> where farmers become the co-developers and co-owners of projects intended for their benefit. In ideal initiatives constituents (no longer beneficiaries) and implementing organizations work hand-in-hand in a joint learning process through which they become mutually accountable for results. Accountability then becomes multi-directional, because implementing organizations are accountable to farmers to deliver results and farmers and communities are accountable for the roles they have agreed to play.<\/span><\/p>\n

The book presents eleven case studies of organizations trying to do this, which, as you can expect, is much more challenging than describing it. There are immense barriers, including issues of short time-frames and funding cycles, costs, questions of representation, the type and purpose of feedback systems, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lessons of this book are highly relevant to the work we are doing, because food systems include multiple stakeholders under conditions that are continually changing, and enabling an effective learning process is key to achieving the results we all want.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you define the term \u201chealthy eating?\u201d
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: I think Michael Pollan\u2019s definition is a nice summary \u2013 \u201cEat (whole) food. Not too much. Mostly plants.\u201d There is no one best diet for everyone, but adhering to this guideline will get you a long way. We all have to experiment to find out what is optimal for our unique circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

What food label matters most to you?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: The more I know about which farm or farmer actually grew the food I am eating, the more comfortable I am \u2013 however this is increasingly hard to know. I do pay attention to organic labels, nutrient labels, etc., but I am strongly aware that we still don\u2019t know a lot about the food we eat. Do you know that a common basil plant has more than two thousand active chemical compounds and we track fifty of them at most? There is still so much we don\u2019t know about what is in our food and how it impacts us as specific individuals with unique microbiomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Define and briefly discuss failure.
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: Failure is an excellent way to learn if you have the discipline to reflect and the honesty to acknowledge what went wrong. I find the methodologies that use Before Action Reviews (BAR) and After Action Reviews (AAR) very helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n

Was there a defining moment when you made a decision that changed the course of the rest of your life?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: Twenty-seven years ago I decided to apply for a Warren Weaver fellowship at The Rockefeller Foundation and taking that opportunity set me on a life course connected to philanthropy and agriculture. On a more personal level, it was the decision to become a member of the Baha\u2019i community and pursue a spiritual practice that had a life changing impact. The Baha\u2019i philosophy is centered on the fundamental oneness of humanity and recognizes that the purpose of life is to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who do you respect most, or who motivates you?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: The Baha\u2019i community in Iran is severely persecuted by the Islamic government there, and the peaceful and noble response of the Baha\u2019i people there fills me with deep admiration \u2013 I am not sure I would have the strength and conviction that they have. It is an incredible example of a community responding to persecution and hatred with love.<\/span><\/p>\n

Define individual responsibility and how you react to adverse situations.
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: Pass<\/span><\/p>\n

What was your worst summer job?
\n<\/b>Roy Steiner: Working in a distribution warehouse where I took 200-pound barrels of spices and food additives and put them into 1- and 5-pound bags for $1 an hour (I was fourteen years old.)<\/span><\/p>\n

FACT SHEET<\/b><\/p>\n

Grew up in:<\/strong> Wiesbaden Germany until I was eight and then London, Ontario, Canada until eighteen
\nCity or town you call home:<\/strong> Am in between New York and California right now
\n<\/span>Job title<\/strong>:<\/strong> Managing Director
\n<\/span>As a child you wanted to be:<\/strong> A farmer
\n<\/span>Background and education: <\/strong>Two bachelor of science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Biology from MIT and a master\u2019s and doctorate in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Cornell
\n<\/span>One word you would use to describe our food system:<\/strong> Un-optimized
\n<\/span>Foodie hero(s)<\/strong>:<\/strong> Khalid Bomba, Haile Johnston, Danielle Nierenberg and Joe Devries
\n<\/span>Your breakfast this morning<\/strong>:<\/strong> Bowl of blueberries and almonds
\n<\/span>Favorite food<\/strong>:<\/strong> Persian and Japanese
\n<\/span>Last meal on Earth<\/strong>:<\/strong> Gormeh Sabzi – a Persian rice dish followed by freshly picked berries and cream shared with the people I love in this world
\n<\/span>Food policy social media must follow:<\/strong> www.foodpolitics.com<\/span><\/a> by Marion Nestle
\n<\/span>Food newsletter, website or book you can\u2019t stop reading<\/strong>:<\/strong> Foodtank, Agfunder, EAT
\n<\/span>Your motto<\/strong>:<\/strong> \u201cSo powerful is the light of unity that it can illumine the whole earth\u201d – Baha\u2019u\u2019llah
\n<\/span>Your proudest \u201cfood\u201d moment<\/strong>:<\/strong> Helping launch the Ethiopian Transformation Agency<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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The Center conducts extensive research on longevity and healthspan, exploring how nutrition and lifestyle interventions can extend both lifespan and the number of years lived in good health. Core to its work is the dissemination of reliable, peer-reviewed information on nutrition, longevity science, and healthy aging, as well as ensuring universal access to healthy, affordable food, and creating a more equitable, smart food system that will improve health outcomes. A distinguished scholar and influential figure in the fields of public health, nutrition, and food policy, Dr. Platkin is a Distinguished Lecturer (Emeritus) at City University of New York at Hunter College. He has both a Masters Degree and a Ph.D. in Public Health, specializing in nutrition. He also has a law degree, and throughout his career has been dedicated to a multidisciplinary approach to academic research, community health interventions and complex health and policy issues, encompassing law, public health, and nutrition. Dr. Platkin has occupied influential roles in public health, notably serving as the Executive Director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center from 2012 to 2023. During this time, he played a pivotal role in shaping food-related policies in New York City. His entrepreneurial leadership extends across multiple sectors: he is the co-founder and strategic advisor to Diversion Books (DiversionBooks.com), a book publishing company; Chief Strategy Officer at PopCom Health (PopComHealth.com); founder and managing director of Magoo Properties (MagooProperties.com); and co-founder and director of MedicalBx (MedicalBx.com), which develops boutique hospitals and mobile medical clinics to enhance healthcare access in underserved areas. His leadership also extended to co-founding and operating organizations like Integrated Wellness Solutions, where he leveraged innovative approaches and technology to enhance health and wellness. He is a powerful advocate for healthier communities and for shaping the field of nutrition and food policy in lasting ways. Dr. Platkin has made significant contributions to the field of public health and nutrition issues through his research. He has published in several peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, including the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the Journal of Obesity and Weight Loss, the International Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, BioMed Central (BMC) Obesity; and the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He is the author of eight books. His forthcoming book, Eat to Cheat Death: Using Food as Medicine to Live Better, Live Stronger, Live Healthier, and Live Longer (Simon & Schuster, 2027), synthesizes cutting-edge research on nutrition and longevity. His first book, Breaking the Pattern (Red Mill Press 2002, Plume 2004), was a bestseller in hardcover; it has been used by addiction clinics to assist patients with resolving drug and alcohol-related issues, and more than 20 universities around the country use it as a text to teach behavioral change techniques to nutrition and dietetic counseling interns. His other titles include The Diet Detective's Count Down (Simon and Schuster, 2007), The Diet Detective's Calorie Bargain Bible (Simon and Schuster, 2008), The Diet Detective's Diet Starter Kit (Diversion, 2011), and The Diet Detective's All-American Diet (Rodale, 2012). Charles Platkin's contributions to the fields of health, nutrition, and public policy have earned him recognition and numerous accolades. He was cited by the New York State Governor for his contributions to the development of nutrition materials for NYS Mentoring in March 2019, showcasing his dedication to public health and education. He was also honored as a Politics of Food honoree by City & State in November 2018 for his commitment to promoting healthy eating and food policy reform. Additionally, Dr. Platkin's success as a principal investigator and grant recipient reflects his impact in the field, as he has secured multiple grants to support research and initiatives related to food policy and nutrition. Beyond his academic and research pursuits, Charles Platkin has engaged with the public through various media outlets. He was the host and executive producer of WE TV's series I Want To Save Your Life, where he helped individuals transform their health through nutrition and lifestyle interventions. His syndicated health, nutrition, and fitness column, the Diet Detective, appeared in more than 150 daily newspapers and media outlets for nearly 20 years. His appearances on thousands of radio shows, in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms have reached a broad audience. His commitment to educating the public underscores his dedication to public health. 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The Center conducts extensive research on longevity and healthspan, exploring how nutrition and lifestyle interventions can extend both lifespan and the number of years lived in good health. Core to its work is the dissemination of reliable, peer-reviewed information on nutrition, longevity science, and healthy aging, as well as ensuring universal access to healthy, affordable food, and creating a more equitable, smart food system that will improve health outcomes. A distinguished scholar and influential figure in the fields of public health, nutrition, and food policy, Dr. Platkin is a Distinguished Lecturer (Emeritus) at City University of New York at Hunter College. He has both a Masters Degree and a Ph.D. in Public Health, specializing in nutrition. He also has a law degree, and throughout his career has been dedicated to a multidisciplinary approach to academic research, community health interventions and complex health and policy issues, encompassing law, public health, and nutrition. Dr. Platkin has occupied influential roles in public health, notably serving as the Executive Director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center from 2012 to 2023. During this time, he played a pivotal role in shaping food-related policies in New York City. His entrepreneurial leadership extends across multiple sectors: he is the co-founder and strategic advisor to Diversion Books (DiversionBooks.com), a book publishing company; Chief Strategy Officer at PopCom Health (PopComHealth.com); founder and managing director of Magoo Properties (MagooProperties.com); and co-founder and director of MedicalBx (MedicalBx.com), which develops boutique hospitals and mobile medical clinics to enhance healthcare access in underserved areas. His leadership also extended to co-founding and operating organizations like Integrated Wellness Solutions, where he leveraged innovative approaches and technology to enhance health and wellness. He is a powerful advocate for healthier communities and for shaping the field of nutrition and food policy in lasting ways. Dr. Platkin has made significant contributions to the field of public health and nutrition issues through his research. He has published in several peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, including the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the Journal of Obesity and Weight Loss, the International Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, BioMed Central (BMC) Obesity; and the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He is the author of eight books. His forthcoming book, Eat to Cheat Death: Using Food as Medicine to Live Better, Live Stronger, Live Healthier, and Live Longer (Simon & Schuster, 2027), synthesizes cutting-edge research on nutrition and longevity. His first book, Breaking the Pattern (Red Mill Press 2002, Plume 2004), was a bestseller in hardcover; it has been used by addiction clinics to assist patients with resolving drug and alcohol-related issues, and more than 20 universities around the country use it as a text to teach behavioral change techniques to nutrition and dietetic counseling interns. His other titles include The Diet Detective's Count Down (Simon and Schuster, 2007), The Diet Detective's Calorie Bargain Bible (Simon and Schuster, 2008), The Diet Detective's Diet Starter Kit (Diversion, 2011), and The Diet Detective's All-American Diet (Rodale, 2012). Charles Platkin's contributions to the fields of health, nutrition, and public policy have earned him recognition and numerous accolades. He was cited by the New York State Governor for his contributions to the development of nutrition materials for NYS Mentoring in March 2019, showcasing his dedication to public health and education. He was also honored as a Politics of Food honoree by City & State in November 2018 for his commitment to promoting healthy eating and food policy reform. Additionally, Dr. Platkin's success as a principal investigator and grant recipient reflects his impact in the field, as he has secured multiple grants to support research and initiatives related to food policy and nutrition. Beyond his academic and research pursuits, Charles Platkin has engaged with the public through various media outlets. He was the host and executive producer of WE TV's series I Want To Save Your Life, where he helped individuals transform their health through nutrition and lifestyle interventions. 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