'Food for Thought' Series Draws CEO of Center for Food Integrity

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Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas holds its first “Food for Thought” lecture of the year with an appearance by Charlie Arnot, chief executive officer of the Center for Food Integrity.

Arnot will speak at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 in the Poultry Science Auditorium, Room 211 of the John W. Tyson Building. His lecture is titled, “Size Matters – Why We Love to Hate ‘Big Food’ and Why Sustainable Intensification May Be Key to Survival.”

Arnot’s visit is open to all students, faculty and staff, as well as the public. “Food for Thought” is a Bumpers College Honors Student Board lecture series. Arnot’s visit is co-sponsored by the Bumpers College, the Bumpers College Honors Program and the Department of Communication in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Messages in the series focus on food, family and the environment, which corresponds with the goal of the Bumpers College to advance the business of foods and the impact of foods on human health, environmental sustainability and human quality of life.

The Center for Food Integrity is a national nonprofit organization established in 2007 to build consumer trust and confidence in today’s food system. Its members represent each segment of the food chain, including farmers and ranchers, universities, food processors, restaurants, retailers and food companies.

“We are excited to have Charlie on campus to engage with our students, faculty and staff,” said Bumpers College Dean Mike Vayda. “The CFI focuses on advancing issues in the businesses of foods, and that’s what we prepare our students to do every day. We know everyone will enjoy and benefit from Charlie’s insight on food systems and food production.”

Arnot has more than 25 years of experience working in communications, public relations and issues management within the food system. He is the founder and president of CMA, an employee-owned consulting firm with offices in Missouri, Iowa and Ohio.

“We are very happy to help bring Charlie Arnot to campus for the lecture series,” said Robert Brady, chair of the Department of Communication in Fulbright College. “It's exciting for our students and the university community to have the opportunity to hear from such a distinguished leader in the field.”

CFI works with companies and associations across the food system to develop and implement sustainable solutions in issues management, public relations, strategic facilitation and marketing communications.

Arnot previously spent 10 years as vice president of communications and public affairs for Premium Standard Farms, a leading food company. Additionally, he's worked for a public relations agency, was an award-winning radio journalist, and worked in video and film.

He grew up in southeast Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is also an ex-officio member of the CFI Board of Directors.

Arnot’s schedule on campus includes speaking to classes and visiting with students, faculty and supporters of the Bumpers College.

Previous speakers in the “Food for Thought” series, which was created in 2013, include U.S. Sen. John Boozman and Rajiv Shah, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.