S:US Summit to Serve New York: Uniting on Food Justice

OUR MISSION

We drive scalable solutions to transform the lives of people with disabilities, people in poverty and people facing homelessness: solutions that contribute to righting societal imbalances.

OUR VISION

We envision a city where everyone has a roof over their head, is healthy, productive and can enjoy the social connections that create a life of purpose. We’re a nonprofit with a staff of 1,800 that provides more than $260 million in services. Our efforts are supported by various local, state and federal government entities as well as foundations, corporations and individual donors. Most importantly, our vision allows us to deliver the same quality of services to one individual or to thousands. No challenge is beyond our scope.

OUR UNIQUENESS

Our uniqueness lies in our ability to take what we learn on the ground and use it to change systems and impact policy. By delivering high quality services that address the complex circumstances of each person, we help transform lives, improve neighborhoods and boost future generations.

WHY WE’RE HERE

“Being part of S:US offers all of us the opportunity to right societal imbalances and to be an agent of good by helping to transform the lives of vulnerable New Yorkers.”

–Jorge R. Petit, MD, President and CEO

At S:US, we don’t prescribe paths that define people but offer solutions that support each person’s definition of a life of purpose. When you look closely, the injustices facing our society are really a universe of highly individual obstacles. When an individual’s life is put on hold for circumstances unique to them, establishing a relationship with them is step one. It’s our guide to the services we provide. The results: Individuals and families no longer limited by their obstacles but propelled by opportunities for a richer experience with the world. A ripple effect that extends from individuals out into their communities.

This is how we beat back stigma.

This is how we build communities.

This is how we create Opportunity for All.

UNITING ON FOOD JUSTICE

A MESSAGE FROM

Michael Hollis S:US Director of Urban Farms

On behalf of Services for the UnderServed, I want to thank you for joining our inaugural Summit to Serve New York. We are incredibly excited to bring together such an amazing array of thought leaders, front line community workers, and advocates that share our social justice mission.

From our beginnings 45 years ago, S:US has worked to end disparities in public health and socioeconomic conditions. Our work transforms the lives of more than 37,000 New Yorkers each year, whether it be women and children who have experienced domestic violence; people who have lost their homes; people living in poverty; veterans who are challenged by homelessness, depression, and unemployment; people with mental illness and addiction challenges; people with autism and other developmental disabilities; and people living with HIV/AIDS. By ensuring access to needed supports, services, treatment, and housing, S:US is proud to be a partner in their journey to experience life to its fullest potential.

We have long recognized food security as an important component of our work. We serve over 2 million meals each year, we provide comprehensive benefits support that includes SNAP/WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Women, Infants, and Children) counseling, we host one of the region’s largest urban agriculture initiatives with over 70 growing spaces throughout NYC, and we are advancing innovative approaches to public health, like building a mutual aid network through our growing community fridge program.

That said, we recognize that food insecurity remains an enduring crisis in our communities, particularly this year as food prices continue to rise and safety net resources that existed during the COVID public health emergency expire. For that reason, S:US has chosen Uniting on Food Justice as the focus for this inaugural summit, seeing this moment as critical for an integrated, communitybased front fighting to achieve a just and equitable food system.

We look forward to the summit as a beginning to new ideas and collaborations, and to combined efforts as we come together to share our work, our challenges, and the opportunities we have for building a better city together.

With gratitude,

EMCEE Andrew Zimmern

Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer and social justice advocate. As the creator, executive producer and host of the Bizarre Foods franchise, Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food, MSNBC’s What’s Eating America, Magnolia Network’s Family Dinner, and the Emmy-winning The Zimmern List, he has devoted his life to exploring and promoting cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food. You can also find him judging the epic culinary battle Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend on Netflix and teaching live fire cooking on Outdoor Channel’s Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen. He has written four books, including the Ippy Gold Medal award-winning AZ and the Lost City of Ophir. Andrew is the founder and chairman of Intuitive Content, named one of the top 100 production companies in the world by Realscreen, and Passport Hospitality, a restaurant and food service development company. He is passionate about his philanthropic endeavors and sits on the boards of Services for the UnderServed, EXPLR Media and Soigne Hospitality. He is on the advisory boards of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, serves on City Harvest’s Food Council, is the International Rescue Committee’s Voice for Nutrition, a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme as well as The Nature Conservancy. Andrew is a founding member of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture and the Independent Restaurant Coalition. He resides in Minneapolis.

FEATURED SPEAKER

Jorge R. Petit, MD

Jorge R. Petit, MD is a community psychiatrist and the President and CEO for Services for the UnderServed (S:US). Prior to joining S:US, Dr. Petit was the President and CEO for Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC), and previously the Regional Senior Vice President for New York State for Beacon Health Options and the Founder and President of the consulting firm Quality Healthcare Solutions. He was also the former Associate Commissioner for the Division of Mental Hygiene in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Dr. Petit sits on the board of Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) and Mental Health News Education (MHNE); is a Distinguished Fellow in the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and a member of the Committee on Psychiatric Administration & Leadership in the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) as well as a member of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Medical Director Institute.

Dr. Petit is the author of Handbook of Emergency Psychiatry and The Seven Beliefs: A Step-by-Step Guide to Help Latinas Recognize and Overcome Depression and the recipient of several awards, including Crain’s New York Business 2022 Notable LGBTQ Leaders, City & State New York 2022 Nonprofit Power 100, and City & State New York 2022 Responsible 100.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS Karen Washington

Karen Washington is a farmer and community activist, striving to make the New York City a better place to live. As a community gardener and board member of the New York Botanical Gardens, she worked with Bronx neighborhoods to turn empty lots into community gardens.

As an advocate, and former president of the New York City Community Garden Coalition, she stood up and spoke out for garden protection and preservation. As a member of the La Familia Verde Garden Coalition, she helped launch a City Farms Market, bringing fresh vegetables to the community.

In 2010, Co- Founded Black Urban Growers (BUGS) an organization supporting growers in both urban and rural settings.

Karen is a board member of Soul Fire Farm and organization committed to undoing racism and injustice in the food system. Former board member and co-founder of Farm School NYC, leading workshops on growing food and food justice across the country and Why Hunger advisory board bringing grassroots support organizations aimed at ending hunger.

In 2012, Ebony magazine voted her one of their 100 most influential African Americans in the country, in 2014 was the recipient of the James Beard Leadership Award and in 2019 co-founded Black Farmer Fund aimed at supporting black farms and businesses with capital and resources in New York State.

In 2020 Essence magazine name Karen one of their Essential Heroes recipients. In 2021 Forbes magazine named Karen as one of their 50 over 50 impact leaders.

Since retiring from Physical Therapy in 2014, Karen is Co-owner/Farmer at Rise & Root Farm in Chester, New York.

UNITING ON FOOD JUSTICE

PANEL MODERATOR Michael Hollis

Michael Hollis has been the Urban Farms Director at Services for the UnderServed since 2013. In that role, he manages one of the region’s largest therapeutic horticulture programs, using community gardens for the wellness and recovery of families and individuals facing a range of challenges from developmental disabilities, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS, often compounded by histories of homelessness, substance use, poverty, and unemployment. Through the S:US Urban Farms program, he oversees design and operations management for over 70 food growing spaces throughout New York City that include in-ground and rooftop gardens, propagation greenhouses, and urban beekeeping.

Mike oversaw growth of the program from 4 Brooklyn gardens and 9 participants, to a comprehensive citywide program engaging over 600 people annually. He also led development of curriculum-based vocational training, personal development workshops, and nutritional programming. Mike’s previous experience in the non-profit sector includes nearly a decade of disaster relief with the American Red Cross, providing support to national and regional recovery operations and serving as a training instructor for disaster relief workers. His professional career also includes farm management, environmental compliance consulting, and eco-friendly building design/ construction.

Mike holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of London. He is an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP) through the Northeast Organic Farming Association, and is a LEED Accredited Professional in Neighborhood Development (LEED AP ND) through the US Green Building Council. Mike was also recently selected by Crain’s New York Business for recognition as a Notable Leader in Sustainability.

UNITING ON FOOD JUSTICE

PANELIST

Kate MacKenzie, MS, RD

As Executive Director of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Food Policy (MOFP), Kate MacKenzie advises the Mayor on all issues related to food policy and the City’s food system.

Under Mayor Adams, Kate leads the City’s Good Food Purchasing commitments, focused on increasing access to healthy, sustainable foods for the over 238 million meals and snacks served daily by City agencies, from public schools to senior centers. Through this work, MOFP seeks to provide greater transparency into all aspects of food procured by the City of New York. She also ensures the City’s food standards are upheld by agencies. She drives the action to advance Food Forward NYC, the City’s first ever 10-year food policy plan, that lays out a comprehensive policy framework to reach a more equitable, sustainable, and healthy food system by 2031.

Kate is a recognized leader, with over two decades of experience fighting for food security and broader anti-poverty solutions in New York City and nationally. She comes to the Mayor’s Office from nearly two decades in non-profit organizations and academia.

PANELIST Leah Penniman

Leah Penniman (all pronouns) is a Black Kreyol farmer, mother, soil nerd, author, and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, NY. She co-founded Soul Fire Farm in 2010 with the mission to end racism in the food system and reclaim our ancestral connection to land. As Co-ED and Farm Director, Leah is part of a team that facilitates powerful food sovereignty programs - including farmer training for Black & Brown people, a subsidized farm food distribution program for communities living under food apartheid, and domestic and international organizing toward equity in the food system. Leah has been farming since 1996, holds an MA in Science Education and a BA in Environmental Science and International Development from Clark University, and is a member of clergy in West African Indigenous Orisa tradition. Leah trained at Many Hands Organic Farm, Farm School MA, and internationally with farmers in Ghana, Haiti, and Mexico. She also served as a high school biology and environmental science teacher for 17 years. The work of Leah and Soul Fire Farm has been recognized by the Soros Racial Justice Fellowship, Fulbright Program, Pritzker Environmental Genius Award, Grist 50, and James Beard Leadership Award, among others. Her books, Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land (2018) and Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists (2023) are love songs for the land and her people.

PANELIST

Cathy Nonas, MS, CDN

Cathy Nonas is the creator of Meals For Good, Inc, a non-profit that has two arms: giving grants to underfunded food pantries for fresh produce and distributing vouchers for independent supermarkets through local community based organizations in Harlem and the South Bronx. A clinical dietitian by trade, she spent her early years at the federally funded NYC Obesity Research Center where she was Administrator of their outpatient programs. Nonas was also an assistant clinical professor at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and a member of the National Institutes of Health committee to update both the Obesity and Lifestyle guidelines. Until creating Meals For Good, Inc, Nonas was a senior advisor at the NYC Health Department and the Director of its Nutrition and Physical Activity programs. Nonas has many peer-reviewed publications on obesity, and policy strategies for changing the nutrition and physical activity environments in NYC. Some of her policy work includes updating the Health Code to improve nutrition in early child care centers, developing New York City’s calorieposting regulation, starting the NYC Green Cart initiative which increases the number of mobile food vendors selling fresh produce in low income neighborhoods, and growing the country’s largest municipal farmers market incentive, Health Bucks. Nonas is currently a Fellow at NYU’s McSilver Institute for Poverty, Policy and Research working on poverty thresholds.

PANELIST Dennis Derryck, Ph.D.

Dennis Derryck, Ph.D., is the Founder of Corbin Hill Food Project, a social enterprise with a mission of providing food to those who need it most. Its work is grounded in the values of sovereignty, racial equity, and sharing power. Corbin Hill’s impact continues to grow as its innovations are adopted as best practice by organizations like Grow NYC. Its flexible model now serves both low-income communities of color and middle-income communities.

Dennis Derryck is a Professor Emeritus at the New School University where he was formerly a Professor of Professional Practice at the New School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy for the past 15 years. He views himself as a practitioner generating theory through practice, and his experiences span the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. He is the former Chair of WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Dennis earned his BS from Manhattan College in Mathematics and his MS and PhD from Fordham University in Education Administration and Supervision.

9:00am Registration/Breakfast/Networking Exhibitor tables

9:30am Welcome

Jorge R. Petit, MD

S:US President & CEO

9:40am Andrew Zimmern Social Justice Advocate, Chef and Writer

9:55am Keynote Address & Q&A

Food Justice is more than growing food and feeding people

Karen Washington Community Activist and Co-Owner/Farmer, Rise & Root Farm

10:35am BREAK; Exhibitor Tables

10:50am Panel Discussion and Q&A

Perspectives on Food Justice: Many Approaches, One Movement

Moderated by Michael Hollis

S:US Director of Urban Farms

12:20pm Closing Remarks

12:30pm Table Exhibitors

IRMAN CRONK

SAMIR MALIK

SHANA McCORMICK

UNITING

ON FOOD JUSTICE

List as of April 7, 2023

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

John A. McKesson Chair

Gail K. McCallion, Esq.

Vice Chair

Jacquie Holmes Secretary

Edward Hubbard Treasurer

MEMBERS

Josh Bider

Erin Felker Bond, Esq.

Amelia Wright Brewer

Earl D. Brown

Chris Cheney

Art Edwards

Peter Friedland

Lawrence Hamdan

Joshua D. Liston, Esq.

Linda Nguyen

Maria Isabelle Palacios Hardy

Jen Press Marden

Gareth Old, Esq.

Carolyn P. Powell

JoAnn Y. Sacks, Ph.D.

Deborah Wolfe, Esq.

Andrew Zimmern

AFFILIATE MEMBERS

Michelle Ballan, Ph.D.

Peter Lattanzio

Phillip A. Saperia

COUNCIL OF ADVISORS

George C. Biddle

Robert B. Catell

Andrew Hurwitz, Esq.

Alice Korngold

Saundra Thomas

Your Donation MATTERS

S:US’ core mission of driving scalable solutions to transform the lives of people with disabilities, people in poverty and people facing homelessness is predicated on embracing the solutions that contribute to righting societal imbalances and ultimately creating opportunities for all. At the heart of what we do is a firm commitment to eliminating the disparities caused by racial discrimination, bias and health inequity, and eradicating these within our practices and programs to help us move towards true social justice.

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AN S:US WHITE PAPER

Uniting on Food Justice: An Innovative Approach from a Health and Human Service Organization

S:US is committed to understanding the primary causes of food insecurity among the communities we serve and looking for innovative approaches to address this need. We define food security as when people have at all times physical, social, and economic access to safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences – looking at four major components: availability, access, stability, and utilization.

The current rate of food insecurity in NYC is 12.5% with higher rates in low-income neighborhoods and Black and Hispanic households. S:US own research found that over half of the people we serve report food insecurity—with 44% reporting “I worried whether my food would run out before I got money to buy more” was sometimes or often true for them in the past 12 months. Many stated that even when they’re able to get enough food e.g. from SNAP benefits or pantries, it’s often not what they want and they have little choice in what they eat.

S:US believes that food is a basic right. S:US’ White Paper, “Uniting on Food Justice: An Innovative Approach from a Health and Human Service Organization” discusses the complexities of food insecurity, highlights innovations and best practices in food justice, and calls for collective action to eradicate food insecurity in our communities. S:US Food Security programs, like Urban Farms and Community Fridges, are embedded into our core services to address food insecurity. Highlighting the successes of current food cooperatives, food-as-medicine initiatives, public benefits programs and culinary skills training that address the four major components of food security, S:US calls for expansion of these innovative programs. Starting with the Summit to Serve New York, S:US aims to convene stakeholders and collaborators in the food justice movement to confront food insecurity in a unified, collaborative approach.

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NO NEW YORKER SHOULD SLEEP HERE

S:US addresses the challenges that prevent individuals and families from leading independent lives in safe, secure homes of their own. We offer emergency, transitional, and permanent housing for people who have lost their homes and may be facing a variety of challenges—from mental illness to histories of incarceration, unemployment or poverty, from substance use disorders to HIV/AIDS. The stability of a home, in our experience, makes recovery, employment, and health possible. Homelessness is an injustice. Housing is a right.

We have a cure for homelessness. It’s called housing.

“I feel very lucky where I live! I can open my window at night and hear people laughing. The fact that I live somewhere where people actually talk to each other and laugh makes me feel good.”

- Samuel

On any given night:

S:US provides housing and shelter to more than 4,500 individuals.

In 2022:

S:US prevented the eviction of 656 people, issued vouchers to relocate 1,197 families to prevent homelessness, provided aftercare to 337 individuals.

S:US helped coordinate volunteer opportunities for people supported with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at more than 20 community organizations.

S:US hosted 21 community, collegiate, and corporate volunteer projects, from site cleanups, to garden renovations, to food security research for our programs.

NO NEW YORKER SHOULD BE DEFINED BY LIMITATIONS

The services we tailor for individuals with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities focus on helping each person live to their fullest potential: building social connections while participating in the community and deepening relationships with friends and family while living and receiving services in the community of their choice.

Our community residences and day habilitation programs offer opportunities for volunteering, obtaining competitive employment, and gaining skills for independent living.

“I would like to thank S:US individuals for helping to clean our theater for every performance. Your work means that I have one less thing to worry about.”

We help people see their strengths. And build on them.

- Regina Opera House

NO NEW YORKER SHOULD FACE CHALLENGES ALONE

At S:US, we offer services to people whose mental health and substance use challenges or other life circumstances have led to homelessness or have prevented them from maintaining a stable and productive life.

Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and their children. For families that have survived abuse, S:US operates shelters offering safety, security, and the opportunity to heal and rebuild lives. In addition to providing housing, we offer help with public assistance, planning and achieving long-term goals, and referrals to therapy and childcare.

Our comprehensive treatment and recovery supports work with people at any stage of their life. S:US’ mobile teams, community clinics, and residential treatment and crisis centers offer compassionate support in even the most difficult circumstances.

People can overcome the biggest obstacles, with the right supports.

“Everyone I met at S:US was there for me every step of the way, helping to guide me as I reinvented myself.”

- Marina

Last year:

398 individuals moved from our shelters, residential treatment, and transitional housing into permanent homes of their own.

Each year: S:US serves over 3,000 veterans and their families.

NO NYC VETERAN SHOULD BE IN A BATTLE WITHOUT BACKUP

We serve Vets in what can be a tough fight – coming home.

As one of New York City’s largest veteran services providers, S:US serves vets as they struggle to reintegrate to civilian life, coping with post-traumatic stress, depression, unemployment and homelessness.

We help vets find and maintain permanent housing, connect to mental health services and offer job training, placement, and on-the-job support.

“They are here to make a better future for you… this is a new beginning. Some suffering other people just can’t hear or want to take on. But S:US did.” - Karen

NO NEW YORKER SHOULD LIVE IN A FOOD DESERT

S:US has created and maintains more than 70 urban farms and gardens throughout New York City, most in neighborhoods where produce is scarce and the number of people with diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure is disproportionately high. Farms and gardens are located in the backyards and on the rooftops of our residences, shelters, and other programs.

Our urban farms make it possible for individuals with disabilities to find steady employment. The farmers receive ongoing training and job coaching that build employable skills in urban agriculture, landscape maintenance, and basic carpentry. Participants also receive the healing benefits of therapeutic horticulture and can enjoy the healthy products of their labor: fresh, organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

We find fertile ground in the city where new possibilities flourish.

“Every time I come here, I feel good.” - Marc

Each year:

Urban Farms engages more than 600 people served by S:US and yields over 9,100 lbs. of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and products such as honey and pickles.

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