About the Food Justice Gathering
Apply
Every year we accept proposals for food justice projects based in or serving Syracuse, Onondaga County, or Onondaga Nation. Applications are open for projects that are led by nonprofit organizations or who are willing to work with a fiscal sponsor.
– Applications open in February
Vote
The Food Justice Fund Leadership Council reviews initial proposals, and finalists are advanced to community voting. Anyone in Syracuse, Onondaga County, or Onondaga Nation over the age of 14 is eligible to vote on the projects they want to see succeed.
– Voting opens in April
Donate
The Food Justice Fund is made possible due to contributions by our community.
To help continue community grantmaking efforts in years to come, please consider making a donation to the Plant A Seed for SOFSA campaign.
Food Justice Fund 2025 Awardees
AlterNative Project:
Digital Learning Hub for Traditional Food Systems Experiences
Alternative Project will be creating a digital learning hub to host over 2 dozen workshops, interviews, and educational content exploring Traditional Food Systems. The project will also include a podcast exploring local food economies and food sovereignty, and a rooftop garden demonstration site that will be used to create content teaching folks how to be more self-sufficient in small and innovative spaces.
Applicant: AlterNative Project
Area Served: Syracuse
Award Amount: $3,500
Heart: Grounding Philosophy
Rooted in interdependence, responsible stewardship, and ancestral wisdom, SOFSA serves as a seed planted in the rich soil of our community, nourished by values that question authority, value community, and cherish our connection to the Earth and all living beings. Like each of the Three Sisters, we aim not only to grow and thrive ourselves but also to support the growth and wellbeing of all members of our community.
Hands: Action Orientation
Through our network’s shared actions, SOFSA works to enact principles of transformative justice and collective impact through the following practices:
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aligning resources and capacity
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fostering relationships
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promoting civic engagement and policy development
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cultivating food system innovation
We strive to address the root causes of food injustice and recognize their interconnectedness with all kinds of systemic oppression. We are building a responsive movement to transform our food system.
Follow our Socials
SOFSA Annual Reports
2024 Annual Report
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
Governance: Board & Community Connectors
Operations & Impact: Staff & Interns
Remembering Evan Weissman (1978-2020)
Evan Weissman was a driving force behind the formation of SOFSA and a tireless advocate for building a thriving food system in Onondaga County. Our partnership’s ongoing work to fulfill this vision is just one of the many pieces of the enduring legacy of the life Evan lived and the values he held so deeply. We will be forever grateful for his many contributions to the cause of food justice in Syracuse and well beyond its borders.
Make a gift to SOFSA in Evan’s memory
How We Operate
SOFSA is guided by a shared governance model that centers community leadership. Our core decision-making body includes the Board, Community Connectors, and the Leadership Team, all serving as co-equal partners. Community Connectors are compensated for their time and bring lived experience and grassroots knowledge to the table, ensuring that our direction reflects the communities we work with.
Around this core, several committees and teams help drive SOFSA’s mission. These include the Equity, Inclusion, and Accountability Committee, the Policy and Planning Committee, and Strategic Working Groups that respond to emerging needs. Staff, fellows, and external support manage daily operations, while groups like the Food Justice Fund Leadership Council guide critical resource decisions. This structure allows SOFSA to be inclusive, accountable, and responsive.