Change Food is centered around raising public awareness and changing consumer behaviors to support a sustainable food system with equal access for all. Change Food’s projects educate people about the problems and solutions in our global food system and provides a medium for individuals to get involved to raise awareness and educate those in their communities. By clearing up consumer confusion, Change Food changes the way people eat for the better.
Food Tank had the opportunity to speak with Diane Hatz, Founder and Executive Director of Change Food.
Food Tank (FT): How do you contribute to creating a better food system?
Diane Hatz (DH): Change Food develops creative projects and organizes special events that give a louder and broader voice to both food movement experts and critical issues with our food system. Change Food also connects people within the movement while activating consumers outside the usual ‘bubble’ to affect real change.
FT: What is a project, program, or result you are most proud of?
DH: Change Food has gathered the 90+ videos from TEDxManhattan (I was the founder/organizer of TEDxManhattan from 2010-2015), along with other professionally filmed short talks by experts in the food movement and have put them into a searchable database, the Change Food Library, so anyone anywhere has access to educational videos about food. In addition, the library contains educational kits with additional resources such as discussion questions, related organizations and videos, links to campaigns, further information on the particular topic, actions, etc, as well as lesson plans, to help educate viewers. The Change Food Library also has developed how to guides so anyone anywhere in the world can organize and host their own event around food and farming.
FT: What are your goals for 2015 and beyond?
DH: Change Food goals include:
- To organize and host large and small-scale events around the United States, and possibly internationally, to raise awareness about critical issues in food and farming while also giving more exposure and a larger voice to experts working on these issues.
- To market and promote videos, actions, and outcomes from these events
- To cross-pollinate the different sectors of the food movement and encourage networking and collaboration among any interested group working in the sustainability sector that has an interest in food.
- To help bring the food movement out of its bubble so that new audiences can learn about problems and solutions with the food system.
FT: In one sentence, what is the most important thing eaters and consumers can do today to support a more sustainable food system?
DH: Get involved; whether it’s shopping at a farmers’ market, calling a government official, reading a book about food systems issues, starting your own farm – whatever it is – just get involved.
FT: How can individuals become more involved in your organization?
DH: Change Food is always looking for volunteers to help with research, events, social media and many other things. Fill out the form and let’s do something together!
If you’re too busy to donate your time but you want to stay up to date with Change Food and the sustainable food movement, sign up for our newsletter.
Download the 2014 Good Food Org Guide HERE.
Submit your suggestions for the 2015 guide HERE.
