In this special episode of GridgeFridge—and the last episode of season 5—we examine an issue and hot topic amongst students at UW-Madison—food insecurity.

As housing becomes more expensive, and tuition costs rise, food access has become a prevalent concern for students on campus. Reduced access to nutritious food has been shown to impact physical and mental health, student GPA, class attendance, and even graduation rates.

This narrative-style episode features voices across campus, including student voices, ASM student leaders, UW faculty and staff. Listeners will learn about the results of the Basic Needs Survey, the impact of food cost on campus, administrative support and more.

Addressing food insecurity requires collaboration—between students, administrators, and the wider campus community—and we’re going to unpack it all in this special episode of GridgeFridge.

In this episode of GridgeFridge, Dr. Jennifer Gaddis shares her journey discovering the world of food labor, her commitment to equitable access to nutritious meals, and the deeper systems behind how school food programs operate.

From the politics of lunch lines to the potential for collective care infrastructure, Dr. Gaddis examines what it truly takes to nourish a nation.

Dr. Gaddis is an associate professor of civil society and community studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research uses critical feminist and ecological lenses to examine how food systems operate within schools and communities, uncovering the social, political, and economic forces that shape daily life.

Beyond academia, Dr. Gaddis is an active public scholar—her work has been featured in major outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, USA Today and Teen Vogue.

She also serves on the advisory board of the National Farm to School Network and is an active member of the Healthy School Meals for All Wisconsin coalition.

And if that wasn’t enough, Dr. Gaddis is also the author of The Labor of Lunch: Why We Need Real Food and Real Jobs in American Public Schools and Transforming School Politics Around the World.

Tune in to gain insights into Dr. Gaddis’s impressive career, school food in the U.S. vs other countries, and how we might reimagine food as a pillar of collective care.

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we sit down with Ryan Dostal, the programs and events lead at Madison’s Allen Centennial Garden. With an undergraduate degree in history from Nebraska Wesleyan and a master’s in horticulture with an urban food systems emphasis from Kansas State University, Ryan brings a unique blend of historical knowledge and horticulture expertise to his work.

He’s also worked at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and George Mason’s Gunston Hall, two historic house museums located in Virginia, and is passionate about sustainability, local agriculture, and the simple beauties of horticulture.

Throughout this conversation, it is apparent they’re not just growing plants—they’re growing community too, with events like the Harvest Festival and Plant Adoption Day. In this episode, we’ll dig into how public gardens can bring people together, boost knowledge about horticulture and food science, and explore how college students can better support local food systems.

The Allen Centennial Garden is a 2.5-acre public garden open year-round from dawn to dusk, dedicated to fostering relationships between people and plants. Through events like guided meditation walks, the Harvest Festival, and Plant Adoption Day, the garden offers interactive opportunities that allow individuals to connect with nature.

Tune in to learn how public gardens can bring people together, boost your knowledge about horticulture and food science, and explore how college students can better support local food systems. It's the perfect dose of feel-good content for the springtime.

If interested in attending events, volunteering, or supporting the Allen Centennial Garden, head over to the garden website to learn more.

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we sit down with Chloe Shomo, a third-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Chloe is an advocate for basic needs on campus and is involved with both the Associated Student Government and the Open Seat Food Pantry.Chloe has been involved in several impactful projects at UW-Madison, such as the implementation of the new basic needs case manager, the basic needs website, and an interactive map that showcases food and other essential resources on campus.

Chloe shares her personal experiences with food insecurity and how it catapulted her passion for advocacy on campus. In this conversation, we examine the often overlooked issue of college food insecurity, touching on the challenges students face—from managing demanding workloads while running student organizations to the lack of affordable grocery options and limited awareness of available resources. Despite the weight of the topic, Chloe brings a hopeful perspective, highlighting how finding community through student advocacy groups can help combat feelings of isolation.

Listen to this week's episode to learn how students are addressing food insecurity on campus, tackling barriers like limited dining hall hours, high food prices, limited transportation, and scarce grocery options—while creating safe spaces and driving change.

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we sit down with Travis Blomberg, the campus resource coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As an administrator spearheading the university's zero waste initiatives, Travis manages procurement practices and encourages mindful consumption on campus. He shares his journey regulating sustainability efforts at UW-Madison, including the creation of the Food Waste Collection program.

Travis also attempts to tackle the complex issue of food insecurity at UW-Madison, exploring its root causes and offering insight into student-led solutions. He highlights how students can leverage both classroom learning and student organizations to address these pressing challenges and potentially attract the attention of university administration.

Listen to this week's episode to learn how UW-Madison is confronting issues that extend beyond campus, from food insecurity to the environmentally harmful practices deeply embedded in society.

In this episode of GridgeFridge, we speak with Dr. Barry Burden, a professor of political science at UW-Madison who specializes in civic engagement, elections, political parties, U.S. Congress, voting behavior, and more. He also directs the Elections Research Center and is the author of Personal Roots of Representation, a book that explores the significant role personal influences play in shaping representatives' voting behavior and policymaking decisions.

Dr. Barry Burden shares his journey from growing up in a small town in Ohio, to becoming a distinguished political science professor at UW-Madison. He discusses the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education, his personal experiences in academia, and how students can combat feelings of hopelessness through voting and engaging in local government. Dr. Burden also reveals why he hasn't pursued a position in government himself.

Tune in to gain insights into Dr. Burden’s impressive career, his identity as a first-generation college student, and how his background shapes both his teaching and his perspective.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Monique M. Chism, the under secretary for education at the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, the Smithsonian

Dr. Chism is responsible for establishing the Institution’s educational priorities. She oversees the Smithsonian’s collective initiatives, communication strategies and funding for programs with the goal of bringing the Smithsonian into every classroom in America.

Her interdisciplinary training in history, sociology and education provides her with a unique perspective that focuses on the intersections of ideas, theories and approaches to support collaboration.

Chism’s experience as a former teacher, state education administrator and federal education policy maker gives her a diverse lens and a deep understanding of the education landscape.

In 2023, UW–Madison celebrated its 175 years of leadership in ground-breaking research, revolutionary social movements, and pioneering academic studies. 175 years ago, UW was officially incorporated by Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey. In 1851, North Hall, the first UW–Madison campus building, was opened and used as a classroom facility and a men’s dormitory.

But long before UW–Madison even existed, the land that UW–Madison occupies has been a cultural center for the indigenous Ho-Chunk nation. As time has continued, the physical spaces of Madison, Wisconsin have continued to change, and UW–Madison has continued to grow and adapt to changing expectations.

Welcome to Rooted, our final episode of GridgeFridge season 4. Continue listening to learn about the history of the UW–Madison campus, value of space, and the many factors determining the physical layout of UW–Madison.