This event is part of the NYC Food Waste Fair 2021. To see all NYC Food Waste Fair events, visit www.foodwastefair.com
About this event
When COVID-19 hit NYC, government officials and restaurant owners alike suddenly had to deal with the dual problems of rising hunger and mounting food waste. Through strategic coordination and redistribution efforts, the City and its nonprofits have worked together tirelessly to divert food waste towards feeding people throughout the pandemic.
Moderator: NY State Senator Jessica Ramos
Jessica Ramos has spent her life fighting for working families, advocating for labor, and organizing her local community. Born in Elmhurst to an undocumented seamstress and a printing pressman, Jessica was raised in Astoria, attended Queens public schools, and now lives in Jackson Heights with her two sons.
Speakers include:
Kate MacKenzie, Director, The Mayor’s Office of Food Policy
Kate is a leader in the food policy sector, with several decades of experience fighting for food security. Previously, Kate worked at City Harvest where she led the organization’s strategy to define the food security program and policy agenda. Kate leads the Administration’s commitment to Good Food Purchasing, focused on increasing access to healthy sustainable foods for over 238M meals and snacks served daily by City agencies. She also leads the City's COVID-19 food response.
Racine Droz, Director, Donor Relations & Supply Chain Management, City Harvest
Racine Lee Droz is the Director of Donor Relations & Supply Chain Management at City Harvest, NYC's largest food rescue organization. Under her leadership, the Supply Chain New York team and Supply Chain Command Center are responsible for rescuing and delivering more than 28 million pounds of food annually within the five boroughs of NYC. Racine earned a Master’s of Public Administration with a focus on Nonprofit Management from Marist College.
Rick Whitted, CEO & President, U.S. Hunger
Rick Whitted is the President & CEO of U.S. Hunger, a nonprofit that is feeding families today and uniting them to a healthier tomorrow. Before his appointment as CEO in March 2020, Rick Whitted served on U.S. Hunger's board of directors, as Board Chair. Rick has overseen the launch of several of the organization’s programs, including the first fully virtual food bank, Full Cart.