James Beard Foundation Launches JBF Impact Programs

 

jbf-logo-grayscale-hiresThe James Beard Foundation is going to be doing a lot of good. This morning, The Foundation announced that it is launching JBF Impact Programs, which will aim to “enhance JBF’s work to establish a more sustainable food system through education, advocacy, and thought leadership.” Currently, there are programs all across the country, including the JBF Food Conference (NYC), the JBF Leadership Awards (NYC), the and JBF Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change, (Greenough, Montana).

The organization also plans to include programs such as JBF Issue Summits, roundtable discussions held in cities around the country surrounding topical food issues; JBF Culinary Labs, which will help chefs learn about food-system issues; and JBF Local and Regional Advocacy Trainings, which will bring the organization’s “A is for Advocacy” curriculum to chefs across the country. The Chef Action Network (CAN), a coalition of more than 200 chefs nationally, will become an official initiative of the JBF Impact Programs.

“Our Foundation is expanding our voice in the food policy movement as we enter our 30th year,” said Susan Ungaro, president of JBF. “In addition to our new Impact Programs, we’re delighted that the Chef Action Network (CAN) will merge under the umbrella of the JBF Impact Programs, continuing its work to help us create a better food system for all Americans.”

This year’s four key issues which the programs will be based around are food waste reduction, sustainable seafood, sustainable meat, and childhood nutrition.

“We are pleased that the James Beard Foundation is taking this step to expand its programs and support of the policy changes needed to make our food system fair, affordable, sustainable, nutritious, and delicious for all,” said Katherine Miller, founding executive director of CAN and JBF’s senior director of food policy advocacy. “By joining forces we will be able to offer chefs more opportunities to get involved and use their voices.”

[image via James Beard Foundation]

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