July, 2024
Transitions and Celebrations
Since the first MFJN Leadership Team came together in 2022, we’ve had transitions. New jobs, new life situations, or just shifts in capacity have shifted peoples’ involvement. It’s a little bit like succession planting in the garden – the tomatoes are sprouting in the window while the snap peas are thriving in the cool spring breeze, and then the tomatoes can spread their branches outside once the snap peas need a break from the hot summer sun. This summer, we’re celebrating all the transitions with much gratitude for the ways that each person and organization shapes our collective work! The sweetness of spring snap pea season remains even as we wonder what new tasty fruits the tomatoes will soon bring.
Fatima Muhammad, a passionate change agent, leader, strategizer, and mother from North Minneapolis is transitioning off the MFJN Leadership Team. Fatima has supported the Food Is Medicine Action Team and MFJN’s internal Sustainability Team. In that role, she also led the process of documenting the policies, practices, and procedures we’ve created together so far as a network. Fatima reflected, “My involvement as a thought partner with MFJN over the past two years has been centered on meaningful collaboration. Together, we have elevated grassroots efforts and built a stronger coalition to redefine the local food system in the metro area through an equity lens. As I transition off the network, I am grateful to have contributed to the progress we’ve made and confident that the work will continue to thrive.”
Princess Titus, co-founder and Senior Engagement Officer at AFC, jumped into the Backbone and Leadership Teams this spring and will continue to bring her insightful questions, joyful celebrations, and reminders to care for ourselves, each other, and our communities. While Appetite For Change is ending their time as a Backbone, they’ll continue to be involved with MFJN on the Leadership Team, Youth Action Team, and Northside Fresh Action Team. We’ve been incredibly grateful for AFC’s support in strategic visioning, holding Network Weaver contracts, managing grants, and sharing time, space, and other resources. MFJN would not be here without AFC and it’s a privilege to keep transforming our food system together!
Olivia Mancia Chavez joined the Leadership Team last year after becoming a coordinator for the Cross-Campus Food Access Coalition when we received the MDH Health Equity Network grant. As coordinator, Olivia has helped organize events and support social media and website development for CFAC. Olivia reflected on a recent food recovery: “It meant so much to see all the campuses get together in one space and feel in community with one another. It was also amazing to hear about each campus’s success in improving food access for students. It also meant a lot to many of the people who attended, knowing that struggles that were being felt on one campus were also being felt on another. Making all of us feel like we weren’t alone in the issues faced when it came to improving food access on campus.” We love Olivia’s commitment to getting young people involved in MFJN, even while appreciating (with good humor!) the wisdom and experience of the current members.
Eva Garret is a passionate community advocate, dedicated herbalist, and visionary entrepreneur who is now bringing all this wisdom and more to the MFJN Leadership Team. As Eva brings to life her vision for a community-centric apothecary, we’re excited for all the synergies that will come from her involvement with MFJN. Stop by the Common Table (Horticulture Building) to meet Eva on Aug 22 and Aug 31!
Jovita Morales, the Policy and Advocacy Organizer with Pillsbury United Communities, is joining the MFJN Leadership Team after former PUC reps, Kim Pepper and Micah Helle, transitioned to new jobs. Jovita has been around community food efforts, including farming and herbalism, since she was a kid in Mexico. In conversations with Jovita, it’s hard to miss her energy for connecting, and we’re excited for all the ways we can deepen connections with PUC and beyond. You can find Jovita at the Common Table State Fair exhibit on Aug. 22!
Sophia Benrud continues is continuing on the MFJN Leadership Team even as they transition into the position of associate Director of training at Caring Across, where they are running a fellowship of 100 caregivers learning advocacy and organizing skills. They continue to be on the coordination team at Midwest Farmers of Color running the mapping project for Mfcc and participating in different formations focused on land access for emerging farmers. They also continue to be on the board of Community Power and organizing around climate and reproductive justice. Sophia also still works on the food for the people project disseminating plant starts and seeds to community members of color. We’re grateful that Sophia still has time and energy for the MFJN Leadership Team to add to the mix! As part of the MFJN Leadership Team, Sophia has supported the Sustainability Team and helped pull together our policies, practices, and procedures.
Michelle Horovitz transitioned this winter from an employee at Appetite For Change to a dedicated volunteer. Michelle makes things happen through connections, creativity, and dedication to just trying new things! We’re honored to still have her involved in MFJN as a community member. “This past year has seen exciting growth for MFJN, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish since just 2020 together. Thank you to all MFJN leaders for helping build a more racially just food system in the metro area. I’m excited to see what we continue to build and do in action together this year!”
Summer Johnson jumped right into the Leadership Team as a representative for MN Community Care last year. She’s brought positive energy and a “let’s just do this!” spirit to the Sustainability and Engagement Teams, and while she’s transitioning into a new professional role, she hopes to stay involved with MFJN when she can. “I am the Partnerships and Access Program Manager for Plume, a telehealth organization specifically dedicated to trans and non-binary folks. We offer access to GAHT (gender-affirming hormone therapy) and other supportive clinical services. My work focuses on expanding access to other wraparound services such as fertility, trans vocal training, grant funding to cover services for low-income folks, and traveling to conferences, events, and partnering with other orgs to increase services for TGNC (trans and gender non-conforming) folks!”
