In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Tom Vilsack speaks with Ambassador Michael Froman, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, about the evolving global landscape shaping food and nutrition security. Their conversation highlights the powerful connection between food and nutrition insecurity and conflict, underscoring how protecting access to food can strengthen communities and serve as a form of soft power that lowers the risk of conflict. The episode also explores how positioning food assistance within broader defense and development strategies can help prevent crises and support long-term global stability.

On this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, host Tom Vilsack sits down with Howard W. Buffett, Chair of the Advisory Board at Holganix and Barrett Ersek, Founder and CEO of Holganix to discuss the role of science and cross-sector collaboration in strengthening global food systems.

Drawing on boots-on-the-ground work with farmers at Holganix, the discussion examines how rejuvenating degraded soils can boost yields, reduce fertilizer use and improve water-holding capacity. Listeners gain insight into the economic, environmental and conservation benefits of soil health innovation and the ways this innovation can boost food and nutrition security.

On this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, host Tom Vilsack sits down with Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, to explore innovative strategies for combating hunger in the United States and beyond. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of leading the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, highlighting practical solutions and real-world impact in the fight for food and nutrition security. Listeners will gain insight into why food insecurity matters to all of us - and how we can make a difference.

The World Food Prize Podcast is presented by The Wellmark Foundation, whose mission is to improve the health of all Iowans and South Dakotans. By supporting conversations on food and nutrition, The Wellmark Foundation is advancing the role access to nutritious food plays in long, healthy lives and in building a food- and nutrition-secure future for all.