Areas of Expertise
Local food systems & public health program development
Mixed-methods research
Environmental & agricultural health
Food Story
McCabe’s interest in food began as a lifelong athlete with a personal interest in nutrition and how food supports health and well-being. Going to college in rural Iowa and learning from its grassroots local food movement helped her expand that perspective, shifting her focus from individual nutrition to the broader food systems that shape community health. She became especially interested in innovative partnerships connecting local producers with schools, hospitals, universities, and grocery stores.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted college, McCabe returned to her hometown with a newfound appreciation for local food systems. This led her to connect with the Hmong American Farmers Association’s CSA program, just minutes from her backyard. One of her favorite memories from that time was packing CSA boxes alongside her grandpa, who grew up on a family farm in Iowa. The experience connected generations of agricultural knowledge and tradition while deepening her understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping food systems today.
Eager to learn from as many people involved in the food system as possible, McCabe went on to volunteer with CSA programs, support farmers market operations, and conduct research with farmers and small food business owners. Today, food systems are the lens through which she understands communities, and she is passionate about advancing policies, systems, and environmental changes that foster a resilient, equitable, community-based food system rooted in the nourishment and celebration of all people and the Earth.
Academic History and Achievements
University of Iowa College of Public Health, Master of Public Health, Community and Behavioral Health Department, 2024
Grinnell College, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology with Neuroscience concentration, 2022