A passion for tackling food insecurity through public policy has earned Iola native Clara Wicoff, a junior at Kansas State University, a 2019 Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
Wicoff, daughter of Lisa and Joel Wicoff, was nominated by KSU for the prestigious scholarship that provides up to $30,000 for post-graduate studies concerning public service.
In a phone interview with the Register Friday afternoon, Wicoff said her interests lie in childhood hunger and nutrition in the United States.
Two things helped direct Wicoffs focus.
As a student at Iola High School, Wicoff said she was impressed with a program in Iola elementary schools that introduced a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to students.
My younger brother was always talking about the new things he had tried that day, Wicoff said. I think its a neat way to convey the importance of nutrition to young people.
Then in college, Wicoff volunteered with a summer food program that made her more aware of the personal circumstances of some.
Wicoff also hopes to find ways to reduce the amount of waste of food products.
About one-third of U.S. food sold at the retail and consumer levels is wasted, Wicoff said, in part due to confusion over how food is labeled.
Wording such as Sell by or Best used by can mislead consumers about the safety of a product, prompting them to prematurely discard it.
Research has found that our behavior is impacted by such labels, Wicoff said, and initiatives that standardize the language and intent would help eradicate confusion.
In developing countries, most food is wasted immediately after harvest, Wicoff said, and would call for different solutions.
KSU President Richard Myers said Wicoffs award comes as no surprise. Clara has an excellent record of leadership, public service and academic achievement to complement her passion for promoting food security. As an exemplary K-State student and undergraduate researcher, she is helping the university live up to its mission to improve quality of life for all people.
Wicoff is majoring in agricultural economics with a minor in entomology. She is KSUs 35th Truman Scholar.
Schools with strong post-graduate public policy programs include the University of Chicago, Harvard and Georgetown, Wicoff said.
