That’s right Northwest—the NW Regional Field Organizers (RFOs) have decided to resurrect the Northwest Real Food Challenge Blog! We’re hoping to use the blog as a way to keep the region updated on events, challenges, successes, and reflections—a place to learn from one another’s experiences and become inspired by the awesome work we know will take place this year.
As a student leader in college, I was passionate about the work we were doing on my campus–but there was something special about being able to connect to the larger movement that was taking place through attending national conferences or speaking with a regional organizer. The energy buzzing in those conference rooms was tangible and inspiring. There was a fever to learn more, discuss more, innovate, create, shake things up, and get things done! Seeing our work as a part of something bigger and more powerful than ourselves countered any doubts we had about the significance or direction of our passion—we were fighting and it was worth it! And we weren’t alone! That energy combined with the resources and tools provided by the national movement meant we could be effective, we could contribute, and we could win. Not only to our own campus changes but also to a great, magical, subtle shift in the long haul transformation of the system.
That’s why I wanted to spearhead the resurrection of this page. I want the campuses in the Northwest to feel the passion of every other campus in this region AND of Emma and I in working in and for it. I also want this region to be able to connect with the other regions by making our work as a region accessible. As a national movement we are trying to shift a BILLION dollars of the budget currently spent on food by colleges and universities toward food that is local/community-based, fair, ecologically sound, and humane by 2020—this is not a small feat! But it begins with each of us and we achieve it because we join together.
In addition to facilitating our regional unity and making our work available to other regions, my hope is that curious NEW Northwest students and lovers of the Northwest can be linked here by the national Real Food Challenge website to learn how to get involved, what kind of work is being done, and how to connect with the awesome national network and resources that the Real Food Challenge provides. One of my favorite parts of my work with the Real Food Challenge so far has been meeting so many passionate, driven, creative—basically flat out awe-inspiring—people who bring such great energy, perspective, and knowledge to the Real Food Challenge. It is so exciting to think of what new students will bring to the table (haha-food movement) and how they will continue to improve and sustain the Real Food Challenge until we reach and surpass that 2020 goal!
SO-in re-establishing this blog as a place for the Northwest region to unify, network, and represent—Emma and I thought we would start out by introducing the people who will be working most closely with the region…namely, ahem, us—the Northwest Regional Field Organizers!
Alexandra Frantz (me)
As a sociology major at Villanova University concentrating in peace and justice, Alex discovered that many of the issues she had studied—disenfranchised communities, health deterioration, environmental degradation, abuse of animals, immigration policies, dynamics of power and privilege—could connect under the umbrella of food justice and food policy. Drawing on her experiences organizing students at Villanova and tackling policy work as a grassroots organizing intern at Food & Water Watch, Alex is beyond thrilled to actively engage her passion and ignite change through her work as a Northwest Regional Field Organizer! She is moving from Chicago to Seattle and excited to immerse herself in pacific northwest happenings–hopefully to include awesome music, concerts, ballet, hiking, composting, and lots of delicious vegan food!
Emma Brewster
Originally from the tiny town of Lyme, NH, Emma has worked her way westward via Cornell University where she studied Development Sociology and Inequality (with assorted international detours) and is now happily settled in Seattle. Emma came to the Real Food Challenge through an interest in the intersection of cuisine and food culture; community development; and public health. Because of its necessity and centrality, Emma believes that food and the food system – though challenging – offer unparalleled opportunity to positively impact communities by strengthening relationships, and improving human and environmental health. When she’s not musing about the food system, she enjoys dabbling in kitchen table tourism, stompin’ to bluegrass music, willing tomatoes to grow in Seattle’s climate, and planning impractical international food tours.
Look forward to more posts from Emma and I! We will also have posts from special guest authors like our regional Grassroots Leaders and other campus leaders reflecting on significant experiences (Positive meeting! Victory! Challenge and lesson learned!) Another great way to stay updated is to like our facebook page so make sure to do that as well!
Peace,
Alex
