Who We Are
Established in 2019, the Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance (SOFSA) is a network of community-rooted changemakers working to transform the food system in Syracuse, Onondaga County, and the sovereign territory of the Onondaga Nation.
We believe food has the power to bring people together, build equity, and restore balance. That’s why we’re committed to dismantling barriers and creating a just, sustainable, and interconnected local food ecosystem.
Our Why
Head: Mission Statement
The Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance (SOFSA) is a network of changemakers dedicated to reshaping our region's food system. Grounded in principles of transformative justice and reciprocity, we cultivate connection, collaboration, and coordination across sectors to mobilize our collective resources towards a more just and sustainable food future in Syracuse, Onondaga County, and Onondaga Nation.
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
Governance: Board & Community Connectors
Operations & Impact: Staff & Fellows
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.
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.