Healing Communities

The huge diversity in global food systems is created by variations in accessibility and culture. What communities grow and eat is shaped by climatic conditions but often constrained by historic inequities and disadvantages in economic policies. At the same time local communities mold food systems to cater to their distinctive values, tastes, and livelihoods. In this session, we examine the connection between communities and food systems, discussing opportunities to heal injustices while moving towards a more sustainable future.

Thematic Questions:

  • How can food systems be revised to stop harming communities and start healing from past harms?
  • What role do food production and consumption play in promoting social cohesion and community building across identities, demographics, and disciplines?
  • How can we ensure that all communities have equitable access to culturally appropriate, affordable, and nurturing food?

Panelists

Ashley Ingram

Earthjustice, Associate Attorney - Sustainable Food & Farming Program

Ashley Ingram is an associate attorney with the Sustainable Food and Farming Program based in New York. She advocates at the local, state, and national level to address climate, air, and water pollution from industrial agriculture and to support a more sustainable food system.

Haley Schulman

Food Rescue, National Site Coordinator

Food Rescue US is a national non-profit on a mission to reduce wasted food and improve food access, mitigating climate change while building community. Haley Schulman serves as National Site Coordinator for Food Rescue US, where she mentors and empowers leaders across the country in the development of grassroots food rescue programs. She pioneered a structured pilot curriculum for new sites and recently launched a nationwide volunteer training program aimed at expanding the organization’s reach and impact.

In addition to her national role with Food Rescue US, Haley acts as Food Rescue US - Fairfield County's Co-Site Director managing the operation of the orgaizations largest and longest standing site. She also actively contributes to several influential organizations, including the National Food Recovery Alliance, the Zero Food Waste Coalition, the Connecticut Farmers’ Market Association, and Connecticut’s Food & Nutrition Working Group.

Vetiveah

Liberated Land Cooperative, Farmer & Food Justice Advocate

Vetiveah is a passionate advocate for food justice, urban farming, and sustainable agriculture, deeply connected to her Black American and Creole heritage from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her work focuses on creating equitable food systems by bridging the gap between farmers, food entrepreneurs, and local communities.

As the Food Entrepreneurship Program Manager at CitySeed in New Haven, Connecticut, Vetiveah equips aspiring food entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to launch and grow their businesses. She plays a key role in strengthening the regional food ecosystem by fostering direct connections between local farmers and food entrepreneurs, ensuring greater access to sustainable and community-driven food systems.

Beyond CitySeed, Vetiveah is deeply involved in shaping food and land justice initiatives. She serves on the steering committee for the Liberated Land Cooperative, a BIPOC farmer-led CSA program in Connecticut, and is a board member of CT NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association), where she actively champions organic and regenerative farming practices. Committed to education and

advocacy, she also dedicates her time to teaching urban farming and foodways in after-school programs, inspiring the next generation to reconnect with their food history, cultural traditions, and sustainable growing practices.

Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Vetiveah finds joy in cooking gumbo, hiking, weeding, and spending time with her husband and Yorkie, Tego.

Rebecca Young

Farmworker Justice, Director of Programs

Rebecca Young joined Farmworker Justice in Washington, DC12 years ago and currently serves as Director of Programs. Rebecca's had the opportunity to engage with farmworker communities across the United States and finds continued inspiration for her work through the stories the farmworkers and their families so willingly share. Through her work in program management and training and curriculum development she interacts frequently with promotores de salud (health outreach workers) on health content areas as varied as pesticide safety, heat stress prevention, and HIV/AIDS awareness, in addition to her current role in the Unidos project, a community mobilization project focusing on the topic of skin cancer. Her work in these areas is steeped in the philosophy of popular education which allows for participants of a wide variety of educational, cultural and linguistic backgrounds to understand and interact with training content in a meaningful and memorable way. Prior to joining Farmworker Justice Rebecca spent 7 years living in the rural Western Highlands of Guatemala. There she worked at a language school and envisioned a bookstore/cafe which also provided space for after-school projects for kids and literacy projects for women. Rebecca holds a MA in Sustainable Development and Social Justice from the School for International Training and a BA in Anthropology and English from Bowdoin College.