Our Work
Connect – Collaborate – Transform
Our Mission
We're building a grassroots network dedicated to transforming how food is grown, distributed, and consumed. Our work centers on creating an equitable, sustainable food system that benefits communities from farm to table.
Through strategic partnerships and targeted support, we help organizations working on the ground to amplify their impact. These groups are often under-resourced despite driving meaningful, replicable improvements in their communities. We bridge this gap by offering expertise in marketing, strategic development, and network building.
Beyond direct support, we convene gatherings, produce educational content, and facilitate connections across the diverse landscape of food system work—linking nonprofits with for-profit enterprises, urban advocates with rural producers, and established leaders with emerging voices.
Core Objectives
- Support grassroots organizations building resilient, equitable food systems through hands-on collaboration and resource sharing
- Bridge divides across the food movement—connecting urban and rural communities, mission-driven businesses with advocacy groups, and diverse stakeholders working toward shared goals
- Elevate successful initiatives through strategic marketing partnerships and high-impact events that expand their reach and influence
Our Programs & Initiatives
Strategic Services Center
Our Strategic Services Center provides marketing consultation and development guidance to mission-driven organizations. We assist underfunded nonprofits in crafting more effective communications strategies and help direct philanthropic resources to high-impact programs nationwide. Additionally, we offer fee-based advisory services to sustainable food businesses. Our long-term vision includes establishing a grant program to provide financial support to smaller organizations creating scalable solutions.
Annual Food Summit
The Annual Food Summit brings together thought leaders, innovators, and practitioners for TED-style presentations exploring critical challenges in our food system. This gathering serves multiple purposes: elevating important issues, showcasing pioneering work, fostering collaboration, and strengthening connections among organizations driving change. All presentations are professionally recorded and made freely available through our educational platform.
Educational Resource Library
Our Educational Resource Library curates professionally produced videos from our events alongside supporting materials. This platform enables community organizers anywhere to host local screenings and discussions, extending the reach of important conversations beyond major venues. It also serves as an accessible learning tool for anyone interested in understanding food system challenges and solutions.
Women in Sustainable Food Network
Women in Sustainable Food Network – A community connecting women across all aspects of food systems—from farming and food technology to distribution and policy—providing mutual support and collaboration opportunities.
Community Gatherings
We organize Community Gatherings in various locations to collect feedback on ongoing initiatives, identify emerging challenges requiring attention, and strengthen local networks. These events embody our belief that sharing meals together creates lasting connections and meaningful dialogue.
Leadership
The organization is guided by its founder and executive director, Diane Hatz, who brings two decades of experience advancing sustainable food systems. Her previous leadership roles include founding and directing TEDxManhattan's groundbreaking "Changing the Way We Eat" conference, serving as executive producer for The Meatrix educational video series, and establishing both Sustainable Table and the Eat Well Guide.
"The solutions already exist—we simply need to find and amplify the people and programs making a difference, while nurturing the next generation of leaders who will carry this work forward."
— Diane Hatz
Featured Projects
Special Events and Gatherings
Building community and fostering lasting connections through shared meals and meaningful conversations about food system transformation.
Video Library
A comprehensive collection of professionally produced short films exploring both challenges and innovative solutions in contemporary food and farming systems.
Food Summit 2018
Exploring critical questions: How can we sustain a local, responsible food movement without the small family farms that make it possible?