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Food Studies Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Food Studies (BAFS) offers a blend of practical skill-building and perspectives on food and agriculture through the analysis of social, cultural, economic, environmental, and historical topics. The curriculum includes a yearlong sequence of applied, experiential, hands-on learning, and a capstone project. Students are prepared for multi-faceted careers in a wide variety of sectors in food and agriculture, with the skill sets to address the practical, economic, community, and social justice issues that are a hallmark of contemporary food systems jobs.
Food Studies is a perfect major for students who want all the breadth of interdisciplinary courses, from English to the Social Sciences, but also want the skills that come with business, project management, agricultural applications and culinary training. Food and sustenance are one of the most important sectors of human life and experience and require a broad range of knowledge in order to work and thrive in the modern world.
—ALICE JULIER, PH.D., Director of the Food Studies programs
Eden Hall Farm
Located 20 miles north of Pittsburgh and home to the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment, Chatham’s 388-acre, net-zero Eden Hall Farm is a living and learning laboratory. Faculty and students collaborate on projects involving food and sustainable agriculture, water, energy and climate, and community health.
Students gain semesters of experience and analysis across a wide range of practices, such as beekeeping; fermentation; tree care; seed saving; animal husbandry; pastry and bread making; and other forms of food preservation. During their third year, students have a sequence of courses that puts them in direct engagement with agricultural and culinary practices and with community-based work in food systems and nutrition. Click the button below to explore the curriculum progression and available courses.
Food Studies students have access to a dedicated career counselor who provides support, resources, and learning opportunities designed specifically for Falk School undergraduate and graduate students. Offerings include one-on-one consultations, professional development workshops and programs, and connecting students with alumni to provide opportunities for mentorship, networking, job shadowing, informational interviewing, internships, and jobs.
Program Faculty
Chatham's Food Studies faculty members are accomplished teachers, scholars, practitioners, and active leaders in the field. They serve as mentors and advisors and are there for you every step of the way.
Chatham University offers many scholarships and grants to incoming first-year students, including the Rachel Carson Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship renewable for four years, and the Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award, a national award that includes a $2,500 scholarship to Chatham.
Join us in fostering community-led agroecosystems in Southwestern Pennsylvania at Eden Hall Farm. We produce thousands of pounds of food for our campus cafeterias, culinary courses, community meals, and food pantries on and off campus. Our impact reaches beyond Eden Hall, building research and educational projects with farmers, seed keepers, and other regional food system practitioners.
Falk School students have the opportunity to work in campus-based businesses, including Café Ann; the Kitchen Lab, which will provide product development in collaboration with scaled food businesses as well as pop-up restaurant training; campus food service; the Grains project wood-fired oven (developing bread, pizza, and other event-based opportunities).
Choosing a Minor
Chatham's minors allow students to explore interests outside of their major, advance their professional goals, and gain essential insight from experienced faculty. Expand your options with a minor in areas such as botany, chemistry, data science, economics, or sustainability.
Save money and earn two degrees in less time: qualified students from the food studies program are guaranteed early admission to Chatham's Master of Arts in Food Studies (MAFS)program.
