Food tariffs, once tools of economic strategy, have become flashpoints in a fragile global landscape. As nations erect trade barriers to protect domestic agriculture, the ripple effects are felt far beyond their borders—raising prices, straining supply chains and jeopardizing access to markets from both the producers’ and the consumers’ perspectives,  and igniting diplomatic tensions. The imposition of tariffs is portrayed not just as a policy choice, but as a catalyst for global disruption—where every forkful of food becomes a symbol of sovereignty, and every fence a fracture in international cooperation.

Does anyone benefit in this world where food security and diplomacy are increasingly at odds?

In this Kitchen Table Conversation, we’ll be hearing voices from across the globe including Dr Carolyn Dimitri, Shane Holland, and Virginia Houston, moderated by Cathy Kaufman.

Dr Carolyn Dimitri is an applied economist with expertise in food systems and food policy. She is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health of New York University. She is currently on the faculty of the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health of New York University. Dr. Dimitri is widely recognized as a leading expert on the procurement and marketing of organic food, and has published extensively on the distribution, processing, retailing, and consumption of organic food. Prior to joining the NYU faculty in 2010, Dr. Dimitri worked as a research economist at the Economic Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture for more than a decade. She earned a PhD in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a BA in Economics from the University at Buffalo.

Shane Holland is the Chair of the Board at Borough Market, Executive Chairman of Slow Food in the UK, and board member of Slow Food International where he leads on advocacy for sustainable food systems, food justice, and equitablehttps://boroughmarket.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Shane-Holland-731x1024.jpg access to good, clean, and fair food. With a career spanning the business and non-profit sectors, he has held multiple CEO roles and chaired several charitable organizations. In addition to his public roles, Shane runs a private consultancy practice advising on strategy, governance, and sustainability for food-related and social impact ventures.
A frequent speaker and media contributor, Shane is deeply committed to reshaping food culture and policy in the UK and internationally.

Virginia Houston is the Director of Government Affairs at the American Soybean Association, where she leads ASA efforts on issues pertaining to trade policy, market access, and international biotechnology and crop protection. She also handles tax policy, livestock, and aquaculture issues for the association. She joined ASA in June 2020 after six years as the Director of Government Relations at the American Seed Trade Association, where she was responsible for implementing ASTA’s federal legislative initiatives. Prior to joining ASTA, Virginia held previous positions at the National Pork Producers Council, the Animal Agriculture Alliance and the Agriculture Marketing Service at USDA. A native of east Tennessee, Virginia grew up on a diversified cow/calf operation, and her family owns and operates the oldest livestock auction market in Tennessee. Virginia holds a B.S. in political science from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in political management with a specialization in advocacy politics from The George Washington University.