Event Descriptions
Learning from 2020: Resilience and Equity in NC Farmers Markets
Presented by: Mara Lowry, Food System Designer/Community Food Lab
Asynchronous
Over the summer of 2020, Community Food Lab conducted a study of NC farmers markets to learn about their COVID-19 experiences, approaches to racial equity, and initiatives around food access. With advisor input on racial equity and policy, Community Food Lab used its survey results to develop a set of action recommendations for long-term resilience and racial equity in farmers markets. Survey processes and results, as well as reflections on how resilient, equitable farmers markets can play key roles in food justice will be shared.
2021-04-04_Mara Lowry_Farmers Markets.mp4Interactive Panel featuring Morgan Abate, Rachel Lechuga, Mara Lowry, and Jenna Wadsworth
Interested in feeding communities as a career? What does a career in food justice look like? Join us as we host young professionals that have incorporated food justice in their work across all sectors. Panelists will reflect on their career journeys into food justice. Come prepared to ask questions!
Led by the Environmental Justice Team of the Sustainability Stewards
Join us as we discover and reflect on current issues in food justice. Participants will be provided information followed by questions facilitated by symposium organizers. Come prepared to learn and challenge yourself with a thoughtful discussion that examines how food insecurity impacts our society.
Presented by: Jenna Wadsworth, Vice-Chair for Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District & 2020 Democratic Nominee for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
Building a more just, sustainable, and equitable future for all North Carolinians is possible through reforming our state's agricultural industry. The path to progress means coming to terms with the social, economic, and environmental justice implications of public policy governing agriculture, including addressing disparities in funding, legal protections, and advancement opportunities for BIPOC producers- specifically those in the Southeast- throughout history. Never before have we been so desperate and starved for authentic leaders who can act decisively and in a way that is supportive of our diverse communities and inclusive values. It's no secret that the world is changing and it's past-time for our state to change with it. Learn why you should advocate for hemp and cannabis legalization- as well as the necessity for equity in licensing, production, and retailing of the crop; get the recipe for addressing child hunger and fight for food justice; build power around a more resilient local food economy that supports small, family farmers over consolidation; combat climate change; and more.
Led by Juhi Dattani, Cole Lee, Mary Champlin, Mary Grace Phillips, & Andrea Padilla
Take a look at what current NC State students are doing to combat food insecurity on campus and in the community. Join us for a casual conversation to learn more about student-led initiatives and how to get involved!
Presented by: L. Ron Pringle, CEO/President of Inter-faith Food Shuttle
Ron Pringle will speak about the systemic barriers that stand in the way of food banks fulfilling their mission to end hunger. Not only will he identify some of these barriers, but he will also discuss how the Inter-faith Food Shuttle is addressing them head-on.
Presented by: Bob Patterson, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Crop and Soil Sciences
Our university is interactively addressing community-focused sustainable food production initiatives in a variety of empowering ways. We are utilizing a variety of approaches to engage our students, faculty, and staff in interactive learning experiences in which all participants, including both local and global community residents, genuinely benefit from the partnerships initiated. Examples of approaches our university is taking to educate our students regarding environmentally responsible food, feed, fiber, and specialty crop production will be shared. Benefits from building healthy international partnerships that benefit both partners will be identified. The critical importance of community engagement to assure sustainability will be emphasized.
Presented by: Rose Krebs, Executive Director of Feed the Pack Food Pantry
Wednesday, April 7th, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Feed the Pack is the student run on-campus food pantry at NC State University. This presentation will cover a brief history of Feed the Pack as well as a discussion of food insecurity at NC State and ways for the community to get involved. This presentation will also discuss the changes and challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presented by: Sarah Gould Wright, Assistant Director TRiO Student Support Services
SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) have eased qualifications for college students during COVID. Students receive monthly payments to grocery shop which improves their time devoted to academics and career activities, overall health and well-being, and finances, while also respecting religious and medical food restrictions. SNAP Benefits are doubled when shopping at local farmer's markets.
Presented by: Beth Rosen, Program Associate at the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
In this presentation, Beth is going to talk about the ways you can be involved with addressing food insecurities and issues in your community and around the world, by putting your intentions into action and activism (an activist is anyone who is fighting for change in society). She will highlight areas of need and actions you can take to make a greater impact.
Presented by: Sooyoung Uhm, Registered Dietitian, Student Health Services
This session will include an overview of food insecurity in college students and its implications for academic and social success. Food insecurity will be presented through the lens of nutrition counseling, with a discussion on the obstacles and challenges faced in providing care. It will also include tips for budgeting and creating strategies for making the most of a limited budget.
Food Access and Wellbeing.pptxPresented by: Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist
This session will provide an overview of food insecurity, the state of food insecurity in North Carolina, who is most at risk, and what is being done to address this issue.
Presented by: Alison Reeves, Farm Manager for NC State Agroecology Education Farm
Alison will introduce the Agroecology Education Farm and its operations at NC State University. Basics of its production system and some home garden suggestions will be shared.
Presented by: Erin White, Founder of Community Food Lab
The Raleigh-based design firm, Community Food Lab, will be presented as an example of a creative model for food justice, where for-profit business activity supports and aligns with mission-driven outcomes. Key projects, big ideas, and lessons learned over eight years of operations will be shared. Other small business examples will be included to help expand the sense of possible routes to making change in food justice.
Presented by: Andrew Smolski, Doctoral Candidate at NCSU / Lariza Garzon, Executive Director of Episcopal Farmworker Ministry / Esmeralda Domínguez, Episcopal Farmworker Ministry
Translator: Dr. Hector Jaimes, Spanish Professor at NCSU
Andrew Smolski will speak about food justice theory and the history of farm work in the US. Lariza Garzon will discuss the impacts of climate change in rural immigrant communities. Esmeralda Domínguez will speak about the work of the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry to address some of these challenges.
The Impact of Climate Change on Eastern NC's.pdfPresented by: Savi Horne, Executive Director for the NC Association of Black Lawyers Land Loss Prevention Project
The Black community has a long history of engagement in Civil Rights struggle in this country. The Black farming community has undergirded our freedom dreams and built our land commons. Black food sovereignty provides the framework to ensure control of our food supply and build our self-determining food economies within a system that protects our environment, foodways, and agrarian culture.
Presented by: Julianne Reas, Gardens For Everyone Project Coordinator/AmeriCorps Member
The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is a local hunger-relief organization focused on creating innovative solutions to hunger. The Food Shuttle puts education at the forefront of all their programming to make lasting and sustainable change in the community. Its newest program, Gardens For Everyone, tackles food insecurity by building affordable garden boxes for individuals, families, and organizations in Wake and Durham County, particularly for populations in food deserts. The Gardens For Everyone program aims to empower people through education and the opportunity to grow their own food at home.
Empowering Community Creates Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems.pdf