Food Justice
Countryside’s mission is to connect people, food, and land. We cannot achieve this mission without openly acknowledging and directly addressing that our food system has its roots in racial, ethnic, and gender violence and injustice and that this exploitation remains pervasive today.
Below is a collection of resources that help to identify, inform, and educate ourselves and others on the inequalities and injustices in our food system, past and present. We hope you will join us in learning, and more importantly taking action, to end discrimination and racism in our food system.

Resources:
Our Commitment and Our Actions:
We are committed to transformational change within and outside of Countryside. We will continue to listen, learn, and grow – as individuals, and as an organization. Transparency and accountability are integral to this process. Below are the actions we have undertaken. We will continue to share as actions are taken and welcome feedback, suggestions or questions at any time.
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- The Board of Trustees voted unanimously that it is their collective will for Countryside to stand against racism and discrimination in all forms.
- A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Standing Board Committee was formed to focus on moving this work forward within the organization and through our programs. We invite community members who are passionate and/or experienced to join us on this committee. For more information, please contact Doug Katz at dk@chefdouglaskatz.com.
- Current Board and staff will participate in Groundwater, a racial equity training presented by the Racial Equity Institute. This training will be mandatory for all incoming Board and staff. Each year Countryside will continue its learning and develop regular and intentional opportunities.
- In partnership with CVNP and its partners, a DEI Committee was formed to address ways that we can collectively build a welcoming, inclusive park experience for everyone by working toward antiracism and equity in our park.
- Through Countryside’s Food Access Programs, we have long recognized that the healthiest foods are least available to those experiencing food insecurity and has actively worked to combat that. We are committed continuing to grow these programs to ensure that they are serving BIPOC community members, who disproportionately experience food insecurity and the resulting health disparities.