Seed to System: Food Equity Leaders Creating Systemic Change
Hosted by the Ecology Center
Since the “Back to the Land” movement and the Free Breakfast Program of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense in the 1960s and 70s, food-based movements have continued to evolve and chart new territory thanks to dedicated generations of leaders. In this session, some visionary contemporary food equity luminaries will discuss their projects and analyses and share their experiences and insights. We will hear about how to forge structural solutions for building systemic change through pilot programs, community building, and political advocacy; learn about innovations and successes in production and distribution at local and national scales; and come away with an overarching picture of how food activists are collaborating to build a healthy, sustainable, and just food system for all. We will leave feeling informed, activated, and inspired to make change. Moderated/hosted by Martin Bourque, Executive Director, Ecology Center. With: Minni Forman, Food and Farming Director, Ecology Center; Xavier Morales, Executive Director of The Praxis Project; Miguel Villarreal, Interim Co-Executive Director, National Farm to School Network.
Magnes Museum
2024-03-30 16:45:00 | 2024-03-30 16:45:00 to 2024-03-30 18:00:00
Panelists
Minni Forman
Food and Farming Program Director
Ecology Center
Minni Forman, MBA, who leads efforts to support small farm-direct retail channels in California as the Food and Farming Program Director for Berkeley’s Ecology Center, was born in a subsistence farming family in Belize and went on to dedicate her career to the development and growth of resilient and equitable food systems. Minni previously co-founded an urban farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in Detroit and implemented a trade model that directly connects smallholder Indigenous cacao farmers in Belize to fine chocolate markets across the globe.
Xavier Morales
Executive Director
The Praxis Project
Xavier Morales, Ph.D., MRP, with academic backgrounds in Regional and Urban Planning, Community Development, and Environmental Sciences, is Executive Director of The Praxis Project, a national non-profit dedicated to accompanying base-building community organizations to transform systems, structures, policies, and practices toward improved health, equity, and racial justice.
Miguel Villarreal
Interim Co-Executive Director
National Farm to School Network
Miguel Villarreal, MBA, Interim Co-Executive Director for the National Farm to School Network, was born into a family that followed work in the fields for the first seventeen years of his life. He subsequently worked as a School Food Service Director for 30+ years and was a renowned innovator in bringing locally-grown, plant-based meals to schools. He worked with many partners, including a wide range of educational institutions, community stakeholders, health-oriented organizations, farmers, local and national policy makers, state and national groups, and foundations to achieve a high degree of success in creating sustainable, equitable, nutrition and wellness environments in schools and communities. He serves on numerous local, state and national boards of organizations focused on improving the “culture of wellness” in communities.
Martin Bourque
