Are there particular aspects of the Food System that you are most involved in or most interested in? (Choose 1-3)
___ Eater
___ Food Producer (Farmer)
___ Food Processing
___ Retail & Food Service
___ Food Distribution
___ Health & Wellness
___ Education
___ Youth
___ Sustainability & Environment
___ Food Justice work
___ Emergency food
___ Waste Management
___ Other? _______________________
What are the food-related issues that you are most interested in or concerned about?
My interests are focused on the following areas: Food related business/enterprise development and related policies. Examples includes farming, food eateries, distribution and value added products. Equity in representation of under-represented groups, specifically people from low income households and people of color, that is demonstrated by people holding the positions responsible for decisions made in the food system. It is important to me that all people have real access to the information and knowledge needed to make informed inquiry, suggestions and take leadership in those processes that directly impact their lives.
What life experience, or skills, or knowledge could you bring to the Council?
I have worked on food system related issues in Tompkins county since 2008, including implementing a food security assessment in 2010 . Also in 2011 as director of the Whole Community Project I was responsible for launching Food Dignity, a five year USDA research project. Organized for two Food Justice Summit Key note speakers, Malik Yakani and the late, Ms. Charity Hicks , who both came to Ithaca from Detroit and responsible for the Black Food Security Network, in Detroit MI that oversees the work of the Detroit Food Policy Council, assuring that the concerns of the Black community are included in their work. I also organized several Food System tours, which were influential in inspiring and supported the ideas of several local residents to become active in the food system . In addition, as co-founder of Congo Square Market, and in 2016 will be entering it’s eight year of operation. My role as co-founder of CSM, is to support local vendors, specifically food vendors promote their businesses.
The Site For The Friends of the Tompkins County Food Policy Council 