NOVEMBER 2025 | Issue I

 

Dear friend,

 

Today we celebrate five years of The Foodshed Network! In 2020, we launched an educational website that uplifted food justice initiatives as well as independently owned, artisanal food businesses. It served as the platform from which we provided analysis on the need for systemic change within the food system. We also developed our core ‘nodes’ of change: Education, Advocacy, Connection and Network Weaving. In the last five years we built thriving programs around these core ‘nodes’, all of which reflect what ‘systemic change’ in the food system looks like. 

 

The food system coalitions we participate in are foundational to our work. By collaborating with diverse practitioners, we shift narratives and build relationships between communities and food justice movements. Since systemic change happens at the grassroots level, we amplify community-based solutions happening locally and throughout Connecticut. Advocating for systemic change within the food system is nuanced and complex, and identifying tangible issues can feel out of reach. TFN serves as your hub of resources and offers opportunities to take action.

 

Your confidence in TFN's mission inspires us to persevere. We thank you for supporting our work toward a just, equitable and regional food system. Whether you are a food system practitioner, long standing advocate or someone who is simply curious to learn more – your investment in TFN, at any level, enables us to grow and fulfill our potential. 

 

Thank you for your support. 

 

In community,

Ali Ghiorse

Executive Director

 

1.) Dr. Dan Russo, Principal at New Lebanon Elementary School, celebrates Harvest of the Season with students by harvesting carrots from their school garden 2.) Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program launches in Greenwich 3.) New Lebanon Elementary School students taste test locally grown carrots

 

 

Jewish Family Services Greenwich (JFSG): When GFA put the call out for Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program ‘issuance partners’, JFSG stepped up and jumped in! This was an exciting step that moved us closer towards equitable access to local produce in Greenwich. Under the facilitation of Geoffrey Anderson, the Chief Program Officer at JFSG, and technical assistance from GFA, cards with a $40 balance per month were issued to eligible seniors to use at the Greenwich and Old Greenwich Farmers' Markets. The program was a huge success, and we plan on pursuing efforts to expand in 2026. 

 

New Lebanon Elementary School (NLES): GFA is thrilled to be part of the NLES Farm To School team supporting communications, network-building and strategic planning. In October NLES celebrated its first Harvest of the Season – featuring the carrot! This exciting community building event demonstrated how NLES is setting students up to learn and thrive with access to local foods, student driven menus, food education and hands-on gardening. 

 

CT Farm To School Food Policy Action Team: GFA participated in the CT Farm To School Food Policy Action Team and together we successfully advocated for the passage of H.B. 7013 An Act Concerning Enhancements To The Local Food For Schools Incentive Program and the CT Grown for CT Kids Program. Funding for FY 26 and FY 27 was included in the final state budget at 1.5 and 3.43 million dollars, respectively. The bill improves our state local food incentive program (LFSIP) and supports the continued growth and funding for farm to school (CT Grown For CT Kids) while providing language and technical assistance along with the funding.

 

Community of Practice: Six food system practitioners joined GFA’s Community of Practice and shared the ways their respective initiatives are working towards a more accessible and resilient food system. Learn more here.  

Shifting narratives around food insecurity: Karen Saggese & Ali Ghiorse, Co-Leads of GFA, took to the power of the pen and co-authored several opinion pieces responding to federal cuts to food assistance programs: Canceling food funding brings pain and A plea to our Senators to safeguard SNAP.

 

1.) Seed, Hearth & Taste book talk series wraps up with In Search of the Perfect Peach at Perrot Memorial Library 2.) Seafood From The Sound dinner chefs plate up the entree at the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center 3.) A Tale of Two States panelists at Common Ground High School

GREENWICH 

1.) TFN's Farm To School colleagues at the State Capitol advocating for H.B. 7013 2.) Post screening panel on Indigenize The Plate at Bruce Museum 3.) Guests enjoying Seafood From The Sound at Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center

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