Food Safety Shouldn’t Be a Privilege: Equity, Access, and the Future of Food
- Darin Detwiler
- Sep 3, 2025
- 2 min read
September is National Food Safety Education Month — a time to elevate awareness around food safety practices, reduce foodborne illness, and reinforce the shared responsibility of everyone in the food system. But one issue remains glaringly underdiscussed: What happens when food safety is only available to those who can afford it?
In this powerful lecture and conversation, Dr. Darin Detwiler is joined by Dr. Ted R. Johnson, a nationally recognized scholar on race, equity, and American identity. Together, they explore the intersection of disenfranchisement, food access, geography, and economic equity, asking bold questions about the real meaning of sustainable development in the U.S.
The hidden costs of food safety and why accessibility matters
How geography and socioeconomics shape who gets safe, nutritious food… and who doesn’t
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to American food access
The moral and policy imperatives to ensure food safety is not a premium product
The long-term impact of systemic inequity on foodborne illness, health outcomes, and trust in public institutions
Dr. Ted R. Johnson is a Senior Advisor at New America, Washington Post columnist, and leader of the US@250 Initiative, Dr. Johnson is a distinguished scholar on race, equity, and civic identity. A retired U.S. Navy Commander, former White House Fellow, and speechwriter, Johnson is also the author of When the Stars Begin to Fall: Overcoming Racism and Renewing the Promise of America.
Food safety isn’t just about avoiding contamination. It’s about equity — who has access, who pays more, and who bears the burden of a system that too often overlooks the most vulnerable. As Dr. Detwiler has long warned: "Food safety cannot come at a premium price."
To explore this broader view, we invite you to watch a powerful video by Dr. Darin Detwiler, a leading voice in food policy and safety. Watch now: “FOOD Industry Insights: Disenfranchised Populations"
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