Our Initiatives
Leadership Pathways
Food systems work takes many hands pushing towards the same targets to make change happen. That’s why we work to create opportunities for (paid and unpaid) leadership development across a variety of programs.
Board and Community Connectors at the 2025 leadership retreat, after an exercise about accountability.
Community Connectors
Community Connectors are recruited to represent the interests of community members who have been historically marginalized. They serve as a co-governing body along with the Board, and help direct the how, why and what of our mission.
Connectors help keep us accountable to harder-to-reach food system stakeholders, and support us in strengthening community relationships. They are compensated for their time, and receive professional development support to grow their skills as food system actors.
Community connectors Tim Bryant and Manila Southmavong presenting at the 2025 Food Justice Gathering
Applications and nominations for Community Connectors open year-round.
Food Justice Fund Leadership Council meeting in April 2025.
Food Justice Fund Leadership Council meeting in April 2025.
Food Justice Fund Leadership Council meeting in April 2025.
Food Justice Fund Leadership Council
The Food Justice Fund Leadership Council is made up of paid community members who oversee the execution of the Food Justice Fund yearly. The Council reviews the grant application, sets funding priorities, allocates funding amount, and reviews applications before handing them off for community voting.
Applications for the Food Justice Fund Leadership Council open yearly in November.
SOFSA Fellows
SOFSA Fellows work with staff to support the activities of the working groups, events, and certain administrative responsibilities. They receive mentorship, networking opportunities, and tailored skill development. Applications for the fellowship open yearly in the summer.
Board members at the 2025 Leadership Retreat
SOFSA Board
The Board helps oversee SOFSA’s operations. Board members are representatives from key sectors within the food system, and board assignments aim to ensure geographic, economic, demographic, and professional diversity in the governance of the organization. The board operates through functional committees: Fiscal, Fund Development, People & Culture, and EIA. New board members are voted in yearly by the SOFSA network.
Applications and nominations for Community Connectors open year-round.