How are government programs working with farmers to feed more people and minimize food waste? In recent months, the USDA and state agencies have supported the purchase of food from farmers as a way to feed those who are unemployed and to reduce food waste. Even before the pandemic, some food banks were buying food from farmers. This webinar offers an exploration of participation in these new and old programs and their effect on USDA nutrition policy. Join in to hear this conversation with farmers and experts in food policy and food equity.
Tuesday, July 28
12:00 - 1:30pm PT
Presenters:
Jered Lawson
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, Pie Ranch
Before co-founding Pie Ranch in 2003, Jered worked with various organizations in California that share a common goal of influencing the way people relate to themselves, each other and the land around them through the development of healthy, local and just food systems. Jered leads Pie Ranch's regional advocacy efforts, joins in farm operations, and works with the Board of Directors to raise the necessary support to fulfill the mission and infrastructure improvements of Pie Ranch.
Christina Wong
Public Policy and Advocacy Director, Northwest Harvest
Christina Wong studied social work and policy at the University of Chicago and is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law. She has over 20 years of experience as an advocate for social justice issues, including her work with survivors of interpersonal violence, disability rights, comprehensive immigration reform, and child welfare. Christina provides information and updates on food and nutrition issues and educates state and federal lawmakers about the needs of our clients in order to strengthen and restore our public safety net. She is also the Chair of the steering committee for the Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition.
Thaddeus Barsotti
Owner, Capay Organic
Barsotti was born on his family farm, Capay Organic, one of the first farms to be organic-certified in Yolo County near Sacramento. There he heads up farm management while being active in growing and maintaining over 40 types (60 varieties) of organic fruit and vegetable crops. He is also co-CEO of Farm Fresh To You, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and home delivery service that provides fresh, local, organic produce to consumers’ doorsteps, delivering organic produce boxes throughout the state of California.
Lon Inaba
Owner, Inaba Produce Farms
Lon Inaba is part of a third generation of family farmers working the rich soil of the Yakima Valley, WA. The Inaba’s started farming in 1907 when Shukichi Inaba immigrated from Japan, bringing along with him Japanese techniques. Today, Inaba Produce has grown to own 1200 acres of land but many of its sustainable practices can be traced back to their beginning. They have maintained a commitment to their surrounding community by diversifying their crops, allowing them to hire local workers nearly year round.
Wes King
Senior Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
Wes has worked on sustainability and food policy issues for ten years. He staffs NSAC’s Marketing, Food Systems and Rural Development Committee. Before joining NSAC in 2016, Wes spent the previous six years at NSAC member organization, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, working on food access, farmers markets and working-lands conservation policy; and leading efforts to create a more risk and scale appropriate regulatory environment for farms and local food businesses.
Josh Lohnes
Food Policy Research Director, Food Justice Lab, WV University
Josh Lohnes is a Phd candidate and one of the longer tenured members of the Lab. Josh has a wealth of knowledge on the broad slate of projects and research that the lab has done over the last few years. That position has Josh excited to see how the Lab’s work can contribute to emerging discourses in Food Justice outside of our home here in the mountains. His thesis work deals particularly with the emergency food system and its reliance on charitable, often faith based initiatives.
Moderator:
Andy Fisher
Executive Director, EcoFarm and author of Big Hunger
Andy Fisher has been a leading force in the food security and food justice movement in the US for the past 25 years. He co-founded and led the primary American food systems alliance, the Community Food Security Coalition, for 17 years. During that time, he led campaigns to gain passage of federal legislation that has brought over $200 million to community groups nationwide for food sovereignty and farm to school projects.
The live session is free, and will be made available to the public after the webinar. Please consider making a donation to support our work.