Assessing WA Food Systems Through an Equity Lens
Bridging the Gap Through a Culturally Relevant Approach
Conducted by a BIPOC Leadership Team that was assembled in August 2021 in collaboration with the WSU Food Systems Program
Purpose of Report
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) funded the Washington State University (WSU) Food Systems Program to coordinate an assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks affecting Washington’s food system, with a special emphasis on identifying the needs and barriers of underserved, food-insecure Black and Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, small farmers, and other socially disadvantaged communities.
To meet this challenge, a BIPOC Leadership Team made up of non-profit leaders, farmers, and community food system organizers came together to design and conduct an assessment with logistical support from the WSU Food Systems Team. The findings of these food system leaders offer critical insights and guidance for enhancing the equity and health of Washington food systems going forward.
Watch the presentation
On Sept. 28, 2021, the BIPOC Leadership Team presented the preliminary findings from their assessment of Washington’s food systems using an equity lens to the WSDA.
Collaborators and co-authors are:
- Mercy Kariuki-McGee, Project Leader and BIPOC Leadership Team Founder/Co-Founder Haki Farmers Collective
- Elisa McGee, Design Consulting/Co-Founder Haki Farmers Collective
- Shaun Glaze, Data Lead/Chief Consulting Officer of Inclusive Data
- Adasha Turner, Ummah Sustained AgroEcology Center at Modest Family Solutions/WSU 4-H 1st Jr Master Gardener Program
- Albert Sardinas, Food for Good/Purpose Drive Girl
- Paula Sardinas, Food for Good/Build Back Black
- Ashley Mocorro Powell, Chair of Environmental Justice Leaders
- Cameron Jones, Woodbridge Farm/Chimacum Center
- Denise Chin, Ecotrust
- Devoni Whitehead, Evans School of Public Policy
- Eddie Hill, Black Food Sovereignty Coalition
- Gary Newte, Northwest Harvest
- Horacio Perez, Black & Indigenous Organizing
- Louis Guiden, Good Shepherd Youth Outreach
- Peter Mustin, Woodbridge Farm
- Rita Ordóñez, Birdsign Consulting
- Robert Rodrigo, COO of We Do Better Relief/Co-founder of Walk 4 Change/LogisticsManager for Peacekeeper Society
- Laura Lewis, Director WSU Food Systems
- Aba Kiser, Project Manager WSU Food Systems