Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

America’s Protein Obsession, Explained | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Most Americans get plenty of protein—but under-consume other important nutrients.

Seafood is “the only natural source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids” which are crucial for brain and heart health and difficult for the body to synthesize efficiently from plant sources, says CLF’s @andrewtl.bsky.social publichealth.jhu.edu/2026/america... @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social

In the new episode of Unconfined, CLF’s Tom Philpott reflects on a story he wrote about the possible connection between rising cancer rates in Iowa and industrial food animal production. clf.jhsph.edu/corn-belts-t...

Meet Elizabeth Myong, KERA’s Arts Collaborative Reporter/Producer, and a participant in our Food Systems and Public Health Fellowship for Journalists. CLF is accepting applications now for our 2026-2027 cohort. clf.jhsph.edu/about-us/new...

Last year brought about several new food trends that influenced the diets of many, particularly young and middle-aged adults. clf.jhsph.edu/viewpoints/f...

Maryland bill on chicken house permit draws environmentalists' concern - Maryland Matters Maryland bill to allow construction to begin on chicken houses before a permit is issued draws environmentalists' concern

Maryland officials are backing a bill to allow chicken growers to construct new poultry houses despite permit delays. CLF’s Patti Truant Anderson stated, “This is a temporary problem that can be solved without permanently weakening oversight.” marylandmatters.org/2026/02/13/m...

The winter issue of The CLF Quarterly is here. Check it out - and be sure to subscribe! https://ow.ly/sWgp50YerFi

Using a Racial or Social Equity Framework Contributes to Food Policy Councils’ Efforts in Addressing Food System Inequities

New Study! Researchers at CLF analyze food policy councils’ use of racial & social #equity frameworks during #COVID19. clf.jhsph.edu/about-us/new...

CLF’s Patti Anderson reflects on the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the recent CLF survey about them. clf.jhsph.edu/viewpoints/w... #DietaryGuidelines

APPLY NOW! CLF is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cohort of the Food Systems and Public Health Fellowship for Journalists.The application period is open now and closes on March 1, 2026. clf.jhsph.edu/about-us/new...

In a new Op-Ed in @thehill.com , CLF’s Daphene Altema-Johnson, @andrewtl.bsky.social & @ptand.bsky.social discuss how the 2025 Dietary Guidelines promote more meat & dairy—but what Americans really need is more fiber, which comes from foods like legumes. thehill.com/opinion/heal...

Check out Episode 27 of #Unconfined! CLF experts Daphene Altema-Johnson and Patti Truant Anderson delve into RFK Jr.’s new dietary guidelines. Don’t miss it! clf.jhsph.edu/unconfined-p...

What DC-area physicians think about RFK’s new food pyramid - WTOP News Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. recently unveiled a new food pyramid that prioritized proteins and healthy fats. WTOP talked with a local nutritionist and a physician about ...

CLF's Patti Truant Anderson welcomes the new food pyramid's focus on whole foods but is concerned about the emphasis on protein & meat. She advises consumers to balance protein intake & saturated fat through plant-based & seafood options. wtop.com/health-fitne...

The updated 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released this week! In a survey fielded ahead of the release, CLF asked Americans about their opinions and knowledge of the #DietaryGuidelines. Learn more: clf.jhsph.edu/sites/defaul... #Nutrition

New US Dietary Guidelines Are Heavy on Meat and Carbon Emissions The inverted food pyramid encourages Americans to eat meat and dairy products for higher protein intake.

The updated #DietaryGuidelines emphasize animal proteins, positioning plant-based options like beans and nuts as secondary. CLF’s Becky Ramsing warns this could lead to increased meat consumption, impacting food options in government institutions like schools.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Meatless Monday promotes a shift in our food habits! By promoting a meat-free day each week, it highlights aspects of public health and climate awareness while showcasing plant-based options. https://www.slowfood.com/blog-and-news/the-impact-of-one-meatless-day/
#MeatlessMonday

CLF’s Patti Truant Anderson, MPH, PHD discusses potential changes to the upcoming  #DietaryGuidelines, including a shift towards more saturated fats despite health risks and more meat over plant-based proteins. What are your thoughts? #CLFExpert

Climate Menu Labels May Effectively Shift Consumer Behaviors Toward Climate-Friendly Food According to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF), labels placed on food items that indicate climate impact can serve as a tool to shift consumer behavior toward more climate-friendly food and to reduce consumption of high-generating greenhouse gas emission food, such as red meat.

A student-led study by CLF-Lerner Fellows and staff confirms that placing climate labels on menus may result in consumers making more climate-friendly choices.
https://ow.ly/3Aww50XL8YE

"Industrial agriculture has redefined efficiency as separation," said Jessica Culpepper at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future's 22nd Annual Lecture. https://clf.jhsph.edu/about-us/events/dodge-lecture/power-law-public-health-toolbox-lessons-frontlines-food-system-reform

Join us in the year ahead as we work for healthy, just, equitable, and sustainable food systems for all.

In this episode of Unconfined, Brent Kim breaks down the pros (meh) and cons (many) of manure digesters and the expanding biogas industry, which has been billed as a climate solution, and to which Brent says, Nah. https://clf.jhsph.edu/unconfined-podcast/calling-bs-poop-gas

Thanksgiving and food safety: do's and don'ts David Love, PhD, MSPH, research professor at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, shares how to safely prepare a Thanksgiving turkey and how long leftovers last after refrigeration.

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, but it’s also crucial to keep food safety in mind! CLF’s Dave Love shares valuable insights on how to safely prepare your Thanksgiving turkey and manage leftovers. www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/vi...

How do manure digesters impact our rural communities? Check out our latest research, "Deconstructing the Livestock Manure Digester and Biogas Controversy" in Current Environmental Health Reports! clf.jhsph.edu/about-us/new...
#ManureDigesters

Madeline Luke, a retired physician and community organizer, is tackling health challenges, including blue baby syndrome, in her North Dakota agricultural community. clf.jhsph.edu/viewpoints/p... #HealthAdvocate

This Is Your Farm on Forever Chemicals

New episode of #Unconfined! Join author @mariahblake.bsky.social Mariah Blake and former organic farmer Adam Nordell as they unveil the troubling trail of PFAS chemicals from labs to farms and the inspiring community efforts to combat this issue. clf.jhsph.edu/unconfined-p... #PFAS

CLF collaborated with the Environment & Food & Nutrition sections for a packed #APHA2025 panel discussion. Our team—Patti, Becky, Andrew, and Liz—explored national surveys on Americans' food perceptions.

Our CLF Fall Newsletter is live! Discover how we're tackling challenges in public health & food systems, plus highlights from recent projects and events! We also pay tribute to Rick Dove & Fred Kirschenmann—true champions of sustainability.
mailchi.mp/jhu/the-clf-...

Food Sleuth Radio | Leo Horrigan, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, and author of What if Soil Microbes Mattered? Our Health Depends on Them Did you know that soil health is integral to life on earth? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Leo Horrigan, MS, Food System Correspo...

Join Melinda Hemmelgarn of Food Sleuth Radio as she talks with CLF’s Leo Horrigan about how soil microbes support human & planetary health. Discover how conventional farming impacts organisms & explore the promising future of #regenerativeagriculture. foodsleuth.transistor.fm/episodes/leo...

A team of researchers tested for a human carcinogen in retail pork products—they didn’t detect any, but they did get a lesson in what producers will/won't reveal about their practices. And they developed a better way to test for the elusive metabolite. tinyurl.com/carbadox

Industrial Animal Agriculture, Animal Welfare, and the Antibiotic Resistance Crisis YouTube video by Food Animal Concerns Trust

Our partners at Food Animal Concerns Trust @foodanimalconcerns.bsky.social have released a YouTube video highlighting the need to protect animals, our food, and public health. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFUa...

CLF’s Becky Ramsing, Dana Smith of @meatlessmonday.bsky.social & a small cohort of young adults from Global Meatless Monday participated in the World Food Forum at the FAO Headquarters in Rome. #MeatlessMonday #WorldFoodForum