Jennifer Otten

Jennifer Otten is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Systems and Population Health at the University of Washington School of Public Health. She leads research on food systems, minimum wage impacts on health, and food waste reduction, including a UW team studying Seattle's $15/hour wage ordinance.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Animal, Nutrition and Food Sciences from the University of Vermont and an MS in Nutrition Communications from Tufts University. She co-authored a U.S. food system report for the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and served as Communications Director for the Institute of Medicine.

Dr. Otten's research centers on systemic food issues: she documents 40% food waste in U.S. production (with consumers as primary contributors), analyzes antibiotic resistance from industrial animal farming, and examines fisheries sustainability amid dietary recommendations. Her work connects economic policies like minimum wage increases to food security gaps between socioeconomic groups.

She actively engages with policy through King County Executive Dow Constantine's 'Kitchen Cabinet' and received Seattle city funding to study commercial food waste in grocery stores and restaurants. Her innovative 'Food Studies: Harvest to Health' course uses film analysis and YouTube projects instead of textbooks or exams, emphasizing critical food system literacy through food diaries and experiential learning.

Dr. Otten advocates practical food waste solutions like proper storage techniques ('don't store wilters with rotters'), 'ugly fruit' campaigns, and food upcycling. She emphasizes community meal sharing and transparency in food production, while maintaining personal privacy about her dietary choices to encourage student autonomy.