“There is no plant-based class at your typical high school. We’re meeting these students in their ninth grade health or environmental science classes, helping them develop this anti-factory farming lens that they will carry into their future careers in corporations, government, and nonprofits. Those are our key allies." - Monica Chen
Last week, New Roots Institute participated in Climate Week New York City, a summit that brought together global leaders and changemakers to discuss strategies for combating climate change. By taking part in events and panels, our team brought the food system into focus as a critical issue driving the climate crisis.
Executive Director Monica Chen moderated a panel about “Fostering a Plant-Rich Culture: Strategies for Widespread Dietary Change.” Joining her were Natalia Paine, Senior Program Manager of Rare; Emilie Fitch, Founder and CEO of People for Better Food; and Samantha Derrick, Executive Director of Plant Futures. The panelists explored the complexities of promoting social change within the food system, discussing topics like media portrayals of plant-based eating and the cultural identities we form around food.
Chen emphasized the importance of engaging students in lessons about the food system early on in their education, “There is no plant-based class at your typical high school. We’re meeting these students in their ninth grade health or environmental science classes, helping them develop this anti-factory farming lens that they will carry into their future careers in corporations, government, and nonprofits. Those are our key allies,” she explained.
Reflecting on the successes of default campaigns and plant-based events in New York City, she added, “We’ve benefited from these allies at pivotal moments where nonprofits and advocates have been able to leverage that support.”
This conversation was part of Food Day, an initiative organized by Tilt Collective, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund to highlight strategies for reducing food-related emissions and fostering healthy communities.
“During a panel at the Nest Climate Campus, Cindy Loper, Environment Program Director at the Robertson Foundation shared that only 4% of climate funding addresses the food system. I’m grateful for the Food Day spotlight at Climate Week, which is helping to shift the climate narrative to include food-related impact.” Chen said.
On the same day, New Roots Institute staff and fellows set up a booth at the Plant-Based Food Festival at New York University, an event showcasing the taste and environmental benefits of plant-rich eating. Students sampled bites from several plant-based food vendors, like bagels with cream cheese and vegetable summer rolls, all while learning about their role in creating a more sustainable food system.
The festival was hosted by the NYU Office of Sustainability, with planning support from New Roots Institute fellows Lucy Whitney, Morgan Greenlaw, Emma Phillips, and Kiely Smith of Greener by Default NYU and the NYU Animal Rights Collective.
Whitney shared, “It’s great to see so many college students here eating delicious, affordable plant based foods. I’m excited about bringing these foods into their diets and getting them into their dining halls.”
During the event, the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy announced that NYU is joining the NYC Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge, pledging to reduce food-related emissions by 25% by 2030. The university plans to achieve this goal by increasing its proportion of plant-based foods.
As students gathered around the booths, the New Roots Institute team connected with folks about the impacts of the food system and encouraged them to take action through our Leadership Development Program, a fellowship in sustainable food systems leadership that empowers emerging advocates with the knowledge, training, and networks to engage their peers in building effective campaigns.
New Roots Institute staff member Michaela Magliochetti said, “We’re meeting students wherever they are in their learning and advocacy journeys. One student who came up to the table was passionate about public health issues, another was interested in law and policy. We hope to reach all of these future leaders with our programming as they begin building their careers.”
