With the unwavering support of our community partners and supporters, Equity Advocates achieved incredible milestones and made great strides in advancing food equity in New York in 2023.
Creating Policy Change
One of our most significant achievements in 2023 was our work in convening and mobilizing food system stakeholders through the NY Food Policy Alliance. We grew and deepened our relationship within the Alliance and mobilized members to create and participate in City and State FY24 Budget campaigns. We also expanded our co-leadership model with more committee chairs and were thrilled to witness more members stepping up to lead advocacy efforts on behalf of the Alliance.
Our collective advocacy efforts yielded $136 million in food system investments through the New York City Budget and a remarkable $260 million in the New York State Budget, most notably securing $134.6 million for the expansion of an existing federal provision – the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)–that allows high-poverty schools to provide free meals to all students.
Our collaboration with NY Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas’ office resulted in the introduction of two important bills: A05933, to establish a state task force to study the development of a nutrition program for undocumented New Yorkers, and A06214/S7663, to establish a state SNAP minimum benefit program.
Additionally, we launched a 2023 New York Farm Bill campaign in partnership with Black Farmers United of New York State and Food for the Spirit that intentionally prioritizes participation of BIPOC farmers & practitioners. After hearing from over 300 New Yorkers, we developed a collective Farm Bill policy platform and built advocacy and social media toolkits to mobilize our networks throughout Summer and Fall. Through our postcard writing campaign, we engaged community members at local events and educational workshops, sending over 200 postcards to Congress to advocate for our Farm Bill policy priorities.
Capacity Building & Community Organizing
In 2023, we held over 35 hours of advocacy training workshops, engaging 300 community partners. These workshops covered essential topics such as using advocacy to build an equitable and sustainable food system, navigating and analyzing city budget, building relationships with key elected officials, developing effective testimony, lobbying 101 and more. We also co-hosted advocacy workshops with Green Guerillas' Council of Gardeners, an inclusive, cross-borough group of community gardeners, and Farm School NYC, a BIPOC-led nonprofit working to train NYC residents in urban agriculture. Co-hosting these workshops advanced our mission to equip community gardeners, growers and land stewards with the knowledge and skills needed to make their voices heard at the local and national levels.
Perhaps our most inspiring training was a 2-day workshop series for 15 youth food justice leaders from the Youth Food Justice Network, East New York Farms!, Teens For Food Justice, and Green Guerillas. This initiative prepared a group of BIPOC youth leaders, aged 14 to 20, to lead policy workshops, empowering them to advocate for change within their communities.
Emerging as a Thought Leader
Equity Advocates has emerged as a formidable thought leader shaping the landscape of New York City's food system. This past year, our Co-Founder and Executive Director, Leah Eden, joined the United Way of New York City's True Cost of Living Report Policy Committee. Leah played a crucial role in shaping policies aimed at addressing issues related to the cost of living and food affordability. Leah was also invited by The New Majority, a grassroots organization devoted to building political power for all women in NYC, to moderate a fireside chat with Qiana Mickie, Director of the Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture, focused on how the city can further strengthen its efforts to support farmers of color and improve healthy food access.
Our Policy Manager, Iyeshima Harris-Ouedraogo, is set to speak about strengthening local food systems at New York Health Foundation’s “Transforming Food Systems: From Pilots to Policy” conference, the Faith in Action for Food Justice conference and participated in a career panel related to food justice, health and equity, organized by the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute, highlighting our commitment to nurturing the next generation of food justice advocates. As thought leaders and food policy experts, Equity Advocates’ small but mighty team makes an outsized impact, driving positive change in the city's food system and beyond.
Growing Our Team and Professional Development
We expanded our team by welcoming a Policy Manager, Iyeshima Harris-Ouedraogo, to implement policy goals and campaign strategies, and lead government relations. Recently Leslie Gomez Rivera, a rising sophomore at Hunter College with a background in food advocacy and organizing, joined our team as an intern through the CUNY Food Justice Leadership Fellowship. Additionally, Adam Liebowitz, Director of the Community Food Funders Director, joined our Board of Directors, bringing deep expertise in the nonprofit sector and extensive experience in community outreach and development, urban farming, program design and management, youth development, and environmental justice.
Our team also invested in professional development, participating in Advocacy Institute training sessions and the Community Resource Exchange's Leadership Caucus program, showcasing our dedication to continuous improvement and growth.
Equity Advocates has demonstrated unwavering dedication to improving food equity in New York, tirelessly working to ensure that everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. As we celebrate these incredible achievements, we look forward to what the future holds. We’re so glad that you’re with us in helping build a powerful, organized movement of grassroots food leaders!