THE COLLECTIVE
CORE COLLECTIVE
The FED Collective is made up of BIPOC-led organizations doing powerful work in the Food as Medicine field.
SUPPORTING MEMBERS
HAFA
HAFA is dedicated to advancing the economic, social, and cultural prosperity of Hmong farmers through capacity building, cooperative endeavors and advocacy to spur intergenerational and community wealth.
VISIT: hmongfarmers.com
Janssen Hang
FED Collective Steering Committee
Janssen Hang is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Hmong American Farmers Association. Janssen grew up growing, harvesting and selling vegetables for the local food economy and currently runs his family-owned value-added business making spring rolls and egg rolls at the downtown Saint Paul Farmers Market. A 2001 Saint Olaf graduate in Biology and Asian Studies, Janssen has over 20 years of experience in agriculture, 12 years in small business management, and 7 years as a licensed-real estate agent. Janssen is also one among just a few certified Hmong Mekongs (cultural broker). Janssen likes to spend his free time with his family in the outdoors.
Corbin Hill
We believe food should be transformative and a celebration of culture and community. We believe that being connected with the people who grow our food can be healing for our communities, bodies, and land. We believe in supporting local food economies and providing market opportunities for BIPOC growers and producers who have been habitually excluded from accessing markets. We believe we can define food as medicine for ourselves rooted in community culture, values, and beliefs. We believe that gathering around food fosters the exchange of knowledge, wisdom, and ideas, which is medicinal for our communities. We believe that fresh, healthy food is a right.
Norma Gonzalez and Ismail Samad
FED Collective Steering Committee
Buffalo Go Green
Buffalo Go Green Inc., provides services and training to under-served populations throughout Western NY while helping to develop young minds to become leaders in green industries, agriculture, and food systems. We also fight food injustice and provide healthy food options to underserved populations in our region.
VISIT: buffalogogreen.org
Allison DeHonney
It’s one thing to grow your own food but Allison DeHonney saw disparity her community and mustered into her service, developing Buffalo Go Green, Inc (BGG), a 501c3 nonprofit organization now preparing the pathway to nutritional success for under-served individuals and families in the East Side of Buffalo, NY with an average poverty rate of 39%. Allison set off with the social entrepreneurial spirit to fight food deserts and the effects caused by them through the creation of Buffalo Go Green.
Allison holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Business Management and is a graduate of the Certified Plant Based Chef & Culinary Rx. Rouxbe Cooking School. She was chosen to be a presenter at the 2016 Common Bound Annual Conference, presenting “Urban Gardens: Growing Health, Wellness and Justice in Diverse Communities.” Further, Ms. DeHonney was elected Chairperson of the Erie County Food Policy Council.
La Semilla
Our mission is to foster healthy, self-reliant, fair, and sustainable food system in the Paso del Norte region of southern New Mexico and El Paso, TX. We are committed to building strong relationships and creating empowering spaces for youth and families to grow and cook good food, create positive change, and foster connections among food, health, and local economies.
VISIT: lasemillafoodcenter.org
Marlene Yanez and Anahi Mena
DAISA
DAISA Enterprises is a national team of equity-focused consultants working at the intersection of food, culture, and health. We partner with social enterprises, nonprofits, community leaders, policy makers, and mission-aligned investors to support the realization of equitable food systems and vibrant communities.
VISIT: daisaenterprises.com
Upstream Impact Consulting
Upstream Impact Consulting is a firm committed to curating and building collaborative solutions for organizations and individuals interested in equity-centered work.