EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF FOOD POLICY

As Executive Director of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Food Policy (MOFP), Kate 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.

Kate holds a master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition from Columbia University and a bachelor’s in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University. She is also a registered dietician. of Meagan P. Martin. She is a black belt in Shotokan Karate, loves to dance, and has two titles that she boasts about: the “Empress of Karaoke” and “Grandma-ma.”

CO-OWNER, RISE & ROOT FARM | CO-FOUNDER, BLACK URBAN GROWERS

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.