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.

Black Lives Matter Solidarity Statement

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.

BLM Solidarity Statement

Black Lives Matter.

Countryside stands with the Black community in the condemnation of the violence against and murders of Black people. We condemn systemic racism and its resulting inequities and injustices.

Our mission is to connect people, food, and land. We have not done enough to acknowledge how history, white privilege, and structural injustices have shaped our industry. The foundations of modern agriculture and our food system were built on discrimination, racism, violence, and injustice. From the theft of Native lands and Black slavery, to modern socio-economic inequities that perpetuate food insecurity, especially in Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and low-income communities, our food system needs to change. We commit to transforming our organization and working, at all levels, to fully understand the historical implications of these injustices for our current food system, and to take action to directly address them.

To take immediate action:

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously in June to codify the collective will of the organization to stand against racism and discrimination in any form.
An Ad Hoc committee of the Board has worked since then to develop a plan that will embed a culture and practice of anti-racism in our governance and operations.

Our driving commitments are:

We will continue to listen, learn, and grow – as individuals, and as an organization.
We will diversify our staff and Board. Black and POC experiences and voices will drive our efforts to serve the diversity of our region.
We will be accountable for our actions and outcomes. We will make our progress publicly available and welcome feedback and inquiries at any time.

These are first and small steps – we have much to learn and do. Direct and systemic racism and discrimination prevent a just and equitable society and food system. Countryside must openly and actively acknowledge and combat these realities if it is to be true to its mission and values.

Countryside CEO, Staff, and Board

food justice organizations & resources

Organizations

Racial Equity Tools - supports people and groups who are working for inclusion, racial equity and social justice.
- Glossary of Racial Equity Terminology
A Growing Culture - advancing a culture of farmer autonomy and agroecological innovation through outreach, advocacy, and information exchange.
Food First - works to end the injustices that cause hunger through research, education and action.
National Black Food & Justice Alliance - a coalition of Black-led organizations aimed at developing Black leadership, supporting Black communities, organizing Black self-determination, and building institutions for Black food sovereignty & liberation.
Civil Eats - a daily news source for critical thought about the American food system. We publish stories that shift the conversation around sustainable agriculture in an effort to build economically and socially just communities.
Women, Food & Agriculture Network - engage women in building an ecological and just food and agricultural system through individual and community power.

Farms

Soul Fire Farm - a BIPOC-centered community farm committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system.
Black Urban Growers - an organization committed to building networks and community support for growers in both urban and rural settings.
Ron Finley: The Gangster Gardener - an artist, designer & gardener, based in Los Angeles.
Sylvanaqua Farm - out to democratize food and agriculture in the DC region.

Resources

Building the Case for Racial Equity in the Food System (Center for Social Inclusion)
Young Farmers Racial Equity Toolkit (National Young Farmers Coalition)
21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge (Food Solutions New England)
Antiracism Actions & Resources (Women, Food & Agriculture Network)

Food Justice

Resources:

Our Commitment and Our Actions:

– – –

BLM Solidarity Statement

To take immediate action:

Our driving commitments are:

food justice organizations & resources

Organizations

Farms

Resources

Articles, Videos, Podcasts

Articles

Videos

Podcasts

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