Behind all the good work happening to build equitable food systems are extraordinary people who contribute their hearts, souls, and minds to building the world we want to live in.
Each one of us bring our unique perspectives, journeys, hopes, and dreams to this ecosystem of change. In these Featured Leader pieces, we learn about the food systems leaders that make up this network, get insight into their reasons for doing what they do, and find out what keeps them motivated during the tough times.
Arlo Bush
Sustainable Food Center
“Our experience during the pandemic is a unique reminder of the power of lived experiences, whether shared or actually lived – having the presence and awareness to seek out what the universe is telling us in this moment. Taking time to listen and then put a plan together to impact change.”
Suparna Kudesia
CoFED
“Because we live in a dangerous and precarious colonial-capitalist system, we continually note the harms that Black and Brown farmers, land stewards, food growers, producers, distributors, and composters experience… We need more white folks to join us on this journey towards collective liberation.“
Eva Moss
Farm Commons
“I envision land back to indigenous people. I envision full restitution to the descendants of those whose ancestors were abused and oppressed. I envision everyone having equal access to wholesome foods and nutrition education, and growers having full support of local markets and regional food infrastructure. ”
Shawn Peterson
Association of Gleaning Organizations
“The world can change overnight and we should expect it to. And that we should focus on what matters, not all the old social rules. Turns out it was not the end of the world to have a kid interrupt a meeting, or to hold a baby while talking work. We can and should mesh our worlds and it is fine to be less professional.“
Melony Edwards
Wallace Center
“My ancestors are my mentors who have guided me back to working in the soil and stewarding foods that provide nourishment to myself and family. They encouraged me to ask questions about our food system and have led me on a life journey working in food and farming. “
Roberto Meza
Emerald Gardens and East Denver Food Hub
“Food intersects so many different issues and gives us a powerful lens through which to view our current economic and sociocultural models. At the same time, it also provides a compass on how to create new models that benefit people, other animals, and our planet.”
Marcus Hill
Island CultureZ
“The idea here is that while there has been some excellent food council-driven organizing across the state, galvanizing visions around what equitable systemic change work actually looks like still seems to be elusive and that’s something the solidarity economy framework may be able to offer. “
Cullen Naumoff
Farm Fare
“Food systems leadership is about constant learning… Understanding the gaps of your knowledge and seeking how partners to help educate, support and challenge you in solving for root problems in the food system are critical. “
Lindsey Lunsford
Tuskegee University
“Communities need connection now more than ever before. Any help given to those trying to navigate the digital divide whether its caused by age or availability resource is important in helping to keep people connected throughout this time.“
Rachael Reichenbach
Resist Reimagine
“So, for white people, we have to constantly hold the tension that we don’t have time to waste, but we can’t keep taking action in a way that perpetuates white supremacy culture.”
Amyrose Foll
The Virginia Free Farm
“Just because we’ve had a change in power doesn’t mean we can let up now, demand accountability, and become complacent now that the threat level has changed. We need to work hard to create an alternative model and endeavor to make the current system obsolete.”
Winona Bynum
Detroit Food Policy Council
“The way we can improve the food system is to talk across disciplines and work collectively on goals, whether they are short, medium or long-term.”
Shelley Dyer
Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation
“Food systems leadership means to me that I prioritize centering the voices of people who are directly impacted by injustices.”
Erica Hall
Florida Food Policy Council
“Our food system affects nearly all aspects of everyday life and the various components of the food system are interconnected and interdependent. An equitable food system is one that creates a theory of change in which all — especially those most vulnerable and those living in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color — can fully participate, prosper, and benefit.”
Marcus Coleman
Louisiana State University
“It is up to those of us engaged in food systems work to also publicly expose and call attention to the inequities that we see across the food systems, especially for socially disadvantaged communities.”
Erica Williams
A Red Circle
“A system built on trust that says, if you say you have a need, we believe you. And, when you are able to give back, we will be here. That type of system has been so beneficial.”
Sunny Baker
Mississippi Farm to School Network
“And within systems change, I was able to see exactly how equity could be the lens for all work. It was as if I slowly wiped the fog off of a window and I began to see my work and my role in that work in a whole new light.“
Neelam Sharma
Community Services Unlimited
“We are no longer in a debate about whether an economic system based on the greed of a few and the exploitation of the vast majority is righteous, but in a moment where if we don’t change this, then we are all doomed.”
Lydia Villanueva
CASA del Llano, Inc
“Be open to learning from your elders, don’t forget about them in your quest to be involved in your work, many have a lot to offer, listen to their stories. Learn from their mistakes and share your knowledge with others. To be a good leader, you sometimes have to lead from behind the limelight, you have to be willing to share that limelight.“
Hnin Hnin
CoFED
“What lights me up is how young people, especially queer folx, people of color, and poor folx, are envisioning and practicing ways of being that honor the dignity of all life and living systems. What keeps me going is the potential to unlearn systems and cultures of domination over the earth and others.”
Anton Seals, Jr.
Grow Greater Englewood
“As in nature, we are part of a web of roots and weeds, dirt, water, air, sunshine that make life possible, and that there is no one way, that victory will come in many forms, and we just may miss it looking for the big IMPACT.”
Sarah Rocker
Penn State Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
“I believe in the power of visioning to guide the work. I think if we can “see” the system we want to build in our mind’s eye it’s easier to move towards that in the day-to-day work…being in touch with your personal vision, the one that comes from the gut.”
Chloe Marshall
National Farm to School Network
“Movements come in phases. You don’t come out of the ‘network womb’ fully formed and ambulatory. There are stages. You have to get people familiar an idea, then comfortable with the idea of taking action, and then it can become self-sustaining.“
Qiana Mickie
Just Food
“There’s a savior element to philanthropy, with nonprofits expected to demonstrate need for financial support by focusing mainly on our struggles, but there is so much more in these communities than just persistent deficits.“
Nancy Dawson
Russellville Urban Gardening Project, Inc.
“The African American experience in America begins with agriculture – we were brought here because of slavery and because we were skilled agriculturalists… That’s where it started. That’s why today I think there’s a resentment around farming.”
Sue Beckwith
Texas Center For Local Food
“My intention is to leave this place better than I found it and when I witness people who are doing work they love, with dignity and ample reward, I am inspired.“