F.R.E. Lunch, the official podcast of the Food and Resource Economics Department, has been awarded Gold by the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in the category of Electronic Media: Audio News, Programs, Podcasts, and Spots. The award honors outstanding work based on four key criteria—Planning and Concept, Content Presentation, Technical Quality, and Creativity/Artistic Style.

Created to bridge the gap between academic research and the public, F.R.E. Lunch explores the economics of food, agriculture, and natural resources through engaging conversations with faculty, students, and industry professionals. The podcast aims to spark curiosity and foster understanding of real-world economic issues.

“This award means so much because it recognizes the time and thought our guests put into exploring real-world issues, and their willingness to share what they’ve learned in ways that truly resonate with others,” said Alena Poulin, co-host of F.R.E. Lunch.

As the marketing and communications specialist for the department, Poulin does not come from an economics background and so describes her experience as a journey of discovery.

“Coming from a non-economist background, I had no idea how wide-ranging and impactful the field of agricultural economics could be when I first joined the department,” she said. “Getting to share those discoveries with new audiences and encourage faculty and students to connect in a more informal, accessible way has been one of the most rewarding parts of this work.”

On the flip side, her co-host, Caleb Stair, is a lecturer for the department and holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics. Yet, he has long been drawn to audio storytelling. For him, the podcast is a natural extension of a lifelong interest and a unique avenue to educate others on the importance of understanding economics in our daily lives.

“Radio has always been something I loved. When I was young, I would mute baseball games and try to do play-by-play,” said Stair. “The podcast was a way for me to keep my work engaging and enjoyable. So many of the issues we study—food systems, water policy, tourism, etc.—are inherently relevant to people’s daily lives. The podcast was a way to get these conversations out beyond the classroom and journals.”

One unique aspect of F.R.E. Lunch is its inclusion of both faculty and current students as guests, offering insight into the hands-on, impactful work happening throughout the department in the format of short, entertaining episodes of 15 to 20 minutes.

Beyond recognition, the podcast has become a valuable academic tool. Professors have started incorporating episodes into their classes, and many contribute ideas for future topics.

“I think that we are finding more ways to spark curiosity and bring important topics to a wider audience,” Stair said. “The response has been wonderful. Students have shared how helpful it’s been to hear applications of the material they’re studying, and several have mentioned that certain episodes sparked new interests or career ideas for them. Faculty and colleagues have also been very supportive, often suggesting topics or offering to participate as guests, which has helped foster a greater sense of community within the department.”

Poulin and Stair agree that one of the most rewarding parts of the podcast is seeing how it inspires deeper engagement.

“It’s incredibly meaningful when students follow up with questions about an episode or dives deeper into a topic they heard discussed,” Poulin said.

Looking ahead, the future of F.R.E. Lunch is filled with potential.

“I’m so excited to see how the podcast continues to grow and evolve,” said Poulin. “We’re building on the expert feedback we received during this year’s C&As and have already launched our first collaborative season with the UF Water Institute, which offers a deeper, interdisciplinary look at the challenges surrounding fresh water. It really feels like the sky’s the limit.”

Interested in learning more? All current episodes of FRE Lunch are available now at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375738. You can also subscribe to follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast hosting platform.

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