by Adam Liebowitz | Dec 12, 2018 | Films & Video, News
On December 4th, CFF partnered with Philanthropy New York, Sustainable Agriculture and Food System Funders, and Surdna Foundation to host a briefing on three new leadership development programs in the food and farming sector. Navina Khanna, Director of the HEAL Food Alliance, spoke about their School of Political Leadership that supports 10 food and farm justice leaders with the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to run for office, work on campaigns, and drive political change. Next, Farzana Serang, Executive Director of the Castanea Fellowship, described how Castanea will provide a diverse cohort of leaders with the time, space, and resources they need to connect and innovate on long-term solutions that can foster vibrant communities and the creation of a more equitable, sustainable, and healthy food system. Lastly, Adam Liebowitz, Director of Community Food Funders, outlined the new Seeding Power Fellowship for experienced food justice leaders working across sectors to build equitable food systems in New York City, the Hudson Valley, and Long Island.
by Adam Liebowitz | Dec 11, 2018 | Films & Video, News
On November 1st, CFF partnered with The Marcus Foundation and SAFSF to host a briefing about the living and working conditions faced by most farmworkers in the US, and food certification programs that are trying to address and ameliorate these issues. Jessica Culley described the work of the Farmworkers Support Committee (CATA), a grassroots member-led organization. CATA was also a founding member of the Agricultural Justice Project that issues the “Food Justice Certified” label. Peter O’Driscoll talked about the Equitable Food Initiative and all it has accomplished in the past five years with its “Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured” label that comes only as the result of multi-stakeholder engagement and agreements across the supply chain. And Michael Rozyne talked about his years in the farming and food distribution business with Red Tomato, what it will take to maintain farms in our region, and a pilot project he is engaging in with EFI in Connecticut to explore the model on smaller farms.
by Adam Liebowitz | Nov 12, 2018 | News
Over the past two decades, food has emerged as a central strategy and focus of nonprofits worldwide concerned with environmentalism and climate change, public health and hunger, community and economic development, human rights, and racial and social justice. Despite gains on certain issues in some geographic areas, a coordinated and unified ‘food movement’ has yet to realize the true potential of the millions who care deeply about these causes. Now, the infrastructure is being put in place for that to change. You’re invited on December 4th for a special discussion about three initiatives designed to bring together diverse leaders of this nascent movement, break down silos to encourage dialog, and support them in reaching their fullest power.
by Adam Liebowitz | Oct 24, 2018 | News
On this webinar, we will be discussing the wide range of food and farming issues that make up “food systems” work in New York. The food system incorporates everything involved in producing, distributing, purchasing, and consuming food, as well as what is done with waste product. The call is important for all grantmakers, as food systems affect everything from the environment, to workers’ rights, to public health and nutrition. We will hear from funders working on different aspects of the food system, and from a group of funders who have created a network to share learning and coordination across the region, including how private philanthropy can leverage local, state, and federal funding.
by Adam Liebowitz | Sep 25, 2018 | News
Although the backbone of our food system, farmworkers are often marginalized in discussions about food and agriculture. Despite the upsurge in interest and consumption of organic, local, or certified produce, the working and living conditions for most farmworkers planting, picking, and packing fresh fruits and vegetables have remained largely as they have been for decades. Examining the nuts and bolts of creating just and equitable food and agriculture systems — across diverse crops, geography, and scale — our lunchtime discussion will also look at innovative opportunities for philanthropic resources to leverage the power of markets to drive change.
