World Food Prize Podcast: Dialogue That Feeds the World

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Tom Vilsack speaks with Fatema AlMulla of the United Arab Emirates Presidential Court about how the Gulf region is turning food and water security into a cornerstone of long-term national resilience and opportunity in a rapidly changing world. The conversation highlights how the United Arab Emirates is leveraging its unique environmental constraints as a catalyst for innovation, efficient resource use and cutting-edge food system solutions.

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Tom Vilsack speaks with Apoorva Oza and Didier Van Bignoot of the Aga Khan Foundation about how food security today requires a wider lens, from climate pressures and economic opportunity to community resilience and sustainable development. The conversation explores the importance of locally led solutions to food insecurity and climate challenges. It highlights how the Aga Khan Foundation’s integrated work across agriculture, climate resilience, education, health and enterprise reflects a systems-based approach to development. The discussion draws on lessons from diverse regions across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and considers how climate change is reshaping rural livelihoods. Finally, it underscores the importance of investing in people—through skills, entrepreneurship and local institutions—as the foundation of long-term resilience. 

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Tom Vilsack speaks with Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, about the future of global food systems and the role of science and innovation in addressing hunger, climate change and nutrition challenges. Dr. Elouafi discusses the importance of crop diversification, climate-resilient agriculture and the use of underutilized crops to strengthen food security in vulnerable regions. The conversation also explores how research partnerships, emerging technologies and inclusive approaches can help transform food, land and water systems around the world. Throughout the episode, Dr. Elouafi highlights the importance of collaboration among scientists, policymakers and global institutions to scale sustainable solutions and improve livelihoods—reflecting the World Food Prize Foundation’s mission to elevate innovation and inspire action to sustainably increase food and nutrition security worldwide.

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Tom Vilsack speaks with Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin Industries, about the company’s evolution into a global ingredients manufacturer operating in more than 90 countries. Nelson discusses how science-driven leadership, innovation and company culture have guided Kemin’s work in improving the quality of life for more than a billion people each day through advancements in food, nutrition, health and agriculture. The conversation highlights Kemin’s role in supporting food quality, safety and sustainability across the global food system, and the importance of STEM education and scientific collaboration in shaping the future of agriculture and nutrition. Together, the discussion highlights how research, innovation and long-term investment can help strengthen food systems and improve quality of life around the world.

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Dr. Michael Kremer discusses how advances in digital technology and other innovations are reshaping approaches to global agricultural and development challenges. 

The conversation focuses on the broader opportunity to move effective solutions from isolated successful trials to systems that can operate at national and global scale, improving outcomes for farmers and communities. It also highlights the importance of building the institutional, financial and policy frameworks needed to support large-scale adoption of proven innovations. Dr. Kremer reflects on AIM for Scale’s role in advancing this agenda by connecting evidence, financing and delivery systems, and underscores the broader need for coordinated action across sectors to strengthen resilience and long-term development outcomes.

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Mary Sellers, President of United Way of Central Iowa, discusses with Tom Vilsack how community-driven solutions can strengthen food and nutrition security and overall well-being. She shares how United Way brings together donors, nonprofits, businesses and government to address persistent challenges and advance the key elements of thriving communities. The conversation explores the ways United Way is increasing access to healthy food for central Iowans, supporting families and creating opportunities for youth. It also highlights how these efforts align with the World Food Prize Foundation mission of advancing a more food and nutrition secure world.

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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.

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Tom Vilsack speaks with Jeremy Gosch, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Hy-Vee, Inc., about the company’s role as one of the largest privately owned retailers in the United States and its impact across the Midwest through an integrated approach spanning retail, healthcare, supply chain and technology. Gosch discusses how leadership and culture drive Hy-Vee’s mission of making lives easier, healthier and happier, and how its three giving pillars—Health & Wellness, Food Security and Education & Economic Empowerment—guide annual giving to communities. Together, the conversation underscores Hy-Vee’s commitment to strengthening communities and aligns with the World Food Prize Foundation’s mission of advancing a more food and nutrition secure world. 

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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.

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Tom Vilsack speaks with Myron Stine, President of Stine Seed Company, about the critical role of agricultural innovation in strengthening food security in the United States and around the world. Myron shares how sustained investment in research—from advanced soybean breeding to high-performance corn—continues to push the boundaries of yield and resilience, and why pairing cutting-edge genetics with localized agronomic expertise is essential for helping farmers succeed in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

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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.

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Tom Vilsack speaks with Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children US, about closing food security gaps in rural America and globally. Janti discusses community-led solutions that use local data and partnerships to identify and address food gaps, as well as child hunger advocacy in the U.S. through the Save the Children Action Network and policy efforts.

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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.

In this episode of the World Food Prize Podcast, Dialogue That Feeds the World, Tom Vilsack sits down with Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, to explore how bold ideas and innovative approaches can drive meaningful change in a complex, interconnected world. Through stories from his decades leading initiatives in global development and public health, Dr. Shah reflects on the risks, opportunities and thoughtful strategies that make lasting impact possible, offering a window into what it takes to create solutions that endure.

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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.