Board Member
Palak Gupta has spent the last 15 years studying how hunger, poverty, and related factors affect the health status of communities. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor at Utah State University. Prior to her current role, she held various positions with the Florida Department of Health, UNICEF, and Save the Children. She earned her PhD in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Delhi, India, and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of South Florida. Palak is passionate about working with people from diverse cultures and ethnicities, including minorities, women, and children.
Her commitment to addressing hunger and supporting underserved populations stems from her experiences living, studying, and working in both developing and developed countries. Born and raised in India, she witnessed firsthand how living in different zip codes could profoundly impact people’s quality of life. She has worked on food security projects in countries such as the Philippines, Belize, and India, which deepened her understanding of global hunger challenges. After moving to the United States, she recognized the commonalities in hunger issues and their solutions worldwide, motivating her to work toward improving the health and well-being of Utahns.
Palak is also deeply passionate about reducing food waste, recognizing its critical role in addressing hunger and promoting sustainability. She leads NourishSmart, an innovative program designed to tackle food waste in Utah by engaging teachers, afterschool educators, and youth through comprehensive education and hands-on initiatives. By integrating food waste reduction strategies into classrooms and community programs, her work empowers individuals to make sustainable choices and contribute to a more equitable food system.
