Food insecurity and social inequality have historically been pervasive issues in our society, and the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis continues to exacerbate structural barriers to fresh, nutritious food. For Nick Stavely ’14 (Agricultural & Resource Economics), providing access to locally grown food is a constant process, one that often involves going the extra mile.
“We believe that local food transforms communities and connects us to our environment, health, and one another,” said Stavely, director of incentive programs at FRESHFARM, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable agriculture and improves food access and equity in the Mid-Atlantic region. “FRESHFARM’s mission is to create a more resilient, equitable, and safe food system. We find new ways to connect people to their food through hands-on education, farmers markets, and food distribution programs.”
Nick’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He will be recognized with the AGNR Alumni of Distinction Award for his dedication to the community at the Eat, Drink & Be Maryland alumni dinner in April 2022.
With more than seven years of experience working with local farmers and food producers, social service organizations, and government partners, Nick has created and implemented program strategy to increase food access points for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shoppers across the region, grow direct-to-consumer agricultural sales, and bolster organizational program impact. More recently, Nick played a critical role in securing two large grants for FRESHFARM: DC Health named them the administrator of Produce Plus in Washington, DC and the USDA awarded the organization a multi-year $1.4 million grant to improve SNAP incentives across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
“I can’t count the number of folks that have come up to us at farmers markets over the years and said something along the lines of, ‘I haven’t had such a rich and tasty strawberry or tomato, or this kind of green, or such fresh bread since I was kid, and it’s so comforting to have it again,’ ” said Nick.
Connecting with people is important to Nick, as is helping them understand they can play an active role in combating food insecurity while supporting local and sustainable agriculture.
Whether it’s working with small food businesses, nonprofits, and government or community aid groups–food touches every part of our lives.
“As an AGNR student, I realized how people’s relationship with food differed due to the intersections of race, culture, class, geography, money, and power,” said Nick.“ From exploring those topics, I knew that I wanted to work in the food system, and that food can be a way to work against unjust systems.”
by Andrew Muir : Momentum Winter 2022