A Spirit of Resilience and Giving Back

One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned as an occupational therapist and advocate for social innovation is the power of applying brain science to create better systems — especially food systems.

The human brain, with its intricately integrated functions, offers a model for understanding how interconnected systems can thrive. Each part of the brain has an essential role, working collaboratively to ensure the overall health and functionality of the body. In a similar way, every element of our food system — from the farmer to the end consumer — must work in harmony to create an ecosystem that supports well-being.

Food, at its core, is deeply tied to our survival and emotional health. The process of eating — the smells, tastes, and textures — is woven into the fabric of our memories and emotions, activating the hippocampus where long-term memories are formed. We are biologically wired to build connections around food due to these neurodevelopmental pathways, making food an exceptional tool for fostering relationships and healing.

Trauma research by experts like Bruce Perry — who has dedicated more than 40 years of his life to understanding trauma-based responses — underscores that the most reliable predictor of positive outcomes is the quality and density of human connectedness. What better way to strengthen these connections than through shared experiences around food? Dr. Daniel Siegel’s work on integrated brain theory (viewing the brain as a dynamic, interconnected system) reflects what we should aspire to when it comes to food advocacy: a system where each part is essential, dynamic, and interconnected, starting with the farmer and moving through the entire food supply chain.

This understanding calls for a “down-to-up” approach — similar to the way the brain operates. Just as the hypothalamus regulates hunger, appetite, and essential bodily functions, farmers are the foundational element of the food system, sustaining everything above them. The advocacy web must encompass support, relationship-building, and care, as well as embrace trauma-informed practices and occupational justice.

Occupational therapy — the therapeutic use of everyday activities — emphasizes participation and performance. In the context of food systems, this translates to creating spaces where individuals can co-regulate and thrive, strengthening not just physical health, but emotional and social well-being as well. Food becomes a catalyst for communal healing, tied to memories, culture, and shared experiences.

To nurture an equitable and healthy food system, we must understand that the essence of healing and health lies in relationships. By integrating trauma-informed approaches with human-centered design, we can build systems that not only support individuals, but also amplify community resilience. Together, with support, care, and information, we can create a sustainable path forward — one meal, one connection, one shared memory at a time.