Meet the dedicated Feed Our Future team, Alison, Liz, Ali, and Bailey, who are working hard continue to expand school food procurement. They do this by working with school food service professionals, local farmers and food producers on a daily basis to ensure students have access to fresh, healthy and (when available) local foods during their school meals. Get to know them below. Make sure to hi when you see them out and about in the community – they love a good local food chat!
Meet Alison Patrick
Position/time in position: Grants Supervisor, 3 years
In a couple sentences what motivates you about Farm to School and what drove you to create this program?
“Fifteen years ago, the big conversation happening in public health was that we were facing the first generation of kids that were going to live shorter lives than their parents. We immediately began looking for solutions that we could implement in our communities that made it easy for kids to be healthy. Now, farm to school is by no means easy work, but I come to it with the belief that kids deserve good food and opportunities to learn about where it comes from, and that good food can come from the communities where kids live, learn, and play every day.”
Favorite Farm to School activity:
“Totally Tasty events! I love the firsthand experience of seeing and hearing what kids say when fresh foods are offered to them. There is pure joy, lots of excitement, and the best one liners. I have heard everything from “I thought I could only get this food through a drive thru” to “a tomato isn’t just ketchup?!” These experiences always remind me of why we do what we do.”
Wise words for our community:
“Kids will eat good food!”
Meet Liz Manley
Position/time in position: Program Manager, 3 years
In a couple sentences what motivates you about Farm to School and how did you find yourself working for this program:
“Working to provide access to healthy foods for all, but especially for kids, has always been important to me. When I went back to school to pursue my master’s in public health, I knew I wanted to find a job with a local health department that focused on not only healthy eating and active living, but also addressed the inequities in the food system.”
Favorite Farm to School activity:
“Gardening”
Wise words for our community:
“Kids are never too young to start learning where their food comes from!”
Meet Ali Guzik
Position/time in position: Farm to School Program Manager, 1 year
In a couple sentences what motivates you about Farm to School and how did you find yourself working for this program:
“I have always been passionate about healthy eating and building healthy habits. Farm to school work allows me to make positive impacts on students’ health and happiness. I am so motivated by the students, growers and food producers that are impacted by our work. I love to see students learn something new about a food item or try something they haven’t tried before and love it. It’s rewarding to see that they can taste the difference between locally-grown food and food from miles away. And, it is inspiring to work with growers and food producers that are so passionate about feeding their communities and teaching kids about the food they eat.”
Favorite Farm to School activity:
“Totally Tasty events!”
Wise words for our community:
“Local food, big impact: choosing food from local growers and food producers means fresher and healthier meals for kids and stronger communities. It’s a small choice that makes a big difference!”
Meet Bailey Rieck
Position/time in position: Grant Coordinator, 10 months
In a couple sentences what motivates you about Farm to School and how did you find yourself working for this program:
“I have always been passionate about helping my community. To me, Feed Our Future is a wonderful program that focuses on bettering the health and wellbeing of students and making and impact on their education. I have always been interested in helping my community and this position allows me to meet and talk with students who are our future and influence their eating for the better”
Favorite Farm to School activity:
“Totally Tasty events because she gets to see just how much the students enjoy trying something new.”
Wise words for our community:
“Never give up, there is always more than one way to do something. If you get overwhelmed take a step back take a deep breath and try again.”
Our team is continuously dedicated to expanding school food procurement and encouraging healthy eating. Follow our social media for regular updates on our community events, fun facts and much more!
Facebook: Feedourfutureohio
Instagram: @feedourfutureohio