SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS SETH GOLDMAN AND JULIE FARKAS ANNOUNCE EAT THE CHANGE® IMPACT CHANGEMAKERS FOR 2023 WITH $250,000 IN GRANTS AWARDED

Three-year grant recipient, AfriThrive, empowers African immigrant families in the Greater Washington DC region to control how they grow, distribute, access, and eat culturally appropriate and healthy foods. Through their cultural farm, community gardens, and educational workshops, this community-based organization is advancing food justice and building sustainable, local food systems. Founder and CEO of AfriThrive, Dr. Truphena Choti, believes “this funding represents more than just an investment in our cultural farm; it's a belief in our community's health, heritage, and future. We're excited to expand our farming operations, allowing us to grow and distribute more healthy, culturally appropriate produce to those who need it most. It's about nourishing bodies and souls, connecting roots, and sowing seeds of change.”

Here is the full list of recipients: (in alphabetical order)

• A Table in the Wilderness; Oklahoma City, OK – Educating individuals and families on the physical, spiritual, and environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle ($6,000)
• Adamah; National – Fostering leadership in the Jewish Community for climate action; funds will support the Jewish Youth Climate Movement and Adamah on Campus, empowering 10-22 year old activists to lead on climate and social justice issues ($8,500)
• AfriThrive; Maryland – Advancing food justice and empowering African immigrant and minority communities to control how they grow, distribute, access, and eat culturally appropriate and healthy foods ($8,500)
• Better Food Foundation; National – Incubating novel strategies for diet change for a world where plant-based food is the norm; grant will support DefaultVeg, which nudges communities and institutions to adopt plant-centered food practices and policies ($6,000)
• Bhakti Center; New York, NY – A cultural arts center rooted in the principles of Bhakti tradition; grant will support Bhakti Center, in conjunction with partner Chilis on Wheels, increase accessibility of plant-based meals, and spread awareness on the importance of a plant-based diet ($5,000)
• Black Veg Society; Baltimore, MD – Educating the public, particularly BIPOC communities, on the benefits of holistic living, veganism, and the plant-based diet ($11,000)
• Building Bridges Across the River; Washington, DC – Providing residents east of the Anacostia River access to best-in-class facilities, programs, and partnerships in arts and culture, economic opportunity, education, recreation, health, and well-being; grant will help Building Bridges Farm bring fresh foods into surrounding neighborhoods and provide urban agriculture education ($6,000)
• Charles Koiner Conservancy for Urban Farming; Silver Springs, MD – Protecting and managing urban farms in the DC metro area that inspire the next generation of sustainable food innovators ($8,500)
• Climate Collaborative; National – Inspiring and supporting action on climate change within the natural products industry through education and advocacy; funds will support companies transition to organic and regenerative agriculture ($5,000)
• Common Good City Farm; Washington, DC – An urban farm sustaining and supporting a more equitable community through growing, learning, cooking, and sharing fresh food together ($5,000)
• Crop Swap LA; Los Angeles, CA – Growing and harvesting food on unused spaces to create reliable and sustainable hyperlocal food production that builds climate resistance ($6,000)
• Crossroads Community Food Network; Takoma Park, MD – Providing culturally appropriate education to expand food system knowledge and fresh produce consumption ($6,000)
• DC Greens; Washington, DC – Advancing food justice and health equity through food education, access, and policy; grant will support The Well, a new agricultural and community wellness center managed and operated by DC Greens in Ward 8’s Oxon Run Park ($13,500)
• Eat REAL; California – Supporting school nutrition though cafeteria menu changes and healthy, sustainable food systems education in K-12 schools with the Eat REAL Certification program ($5,000)
• Educated Choices Program; National – Educating and empowering students and communities with the knowledge to make informed and responsible food choices; grant will support a series of environmental education videos on our food system’s impact on planetary health ($5,000)
• IDEAS For Us on behalf of Fleet Farming; Orlando, FL – Supporting urban agriculture and local food systems by empowering youth in food deserts to turn lawns into farms by bicycle ($5,000)
• Earth Island Institute on behalf of Food Shift; Alameda, CA – Developing sustainable solutions to reduce wasted food and provide plant-forward foods for individuals overcoming food insecurity ($7,500)
• Grow Dat Youth Farm; New Orleans, LA – Nurturing a diverse group of young leaders through the meaningful work of growing healthy food ($8,500)
• Growing Gardens; Portland, OR – using the experience of growing food in schools, backyards, and correctional facilities to cultivate healthy, equitable communities ($6,000)
• Harlem Grown; Harlem, NY – Inspiring youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition ($8,500)
• Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture; Kapaau, HI – Pioneering local food systems development through farm to school education, school gardens, youth mentorship, nutrition education and the Kohala Food Hub ($8,500)
• IMPACT Silver Spring; Silver Spring, MD – Advancing racial equity, justice, and liberation by working for change in Montgomery County; grant will support community garden and cooking programs which work to increase food security, strengthen community ties, and promote individual and collective health ($5,000)
• Keep Growing Detroit; Detroit, MI – Educating urban gardeners about climate-smart growing, eating, and cooking practices ($5,000)
• La Plazita Institute; Albuquerque, New Mexico – Using a comprehensive, holistic, and cultural approach around the philosophy of "La Cultura Cura" to address food justice, healing, and juvenile justice ($6,000).
• La Semilla Food Center; Anthony, NM – Fostering a healthy, self-reliant, fair, and sustainable food system in the Paso del Norte Region; grant will support two public school gardens and community learning centers ($5,000)
• Community Partners on behalf of Los Angeles Food Policy Council; Los Angeles, CA – Creating a local food system rooted in equity and access; grant supports Community Chefs LA, a community engagement series that features Angelenos’ food stories and plant-based recipes ($7,500)
• Mālama Kaua`i; Kauai, HI – Increasing local food production and access to climate-friendly food across Kauai, the most remote island in Hawaii ($5,000)
• Plant Futures; National – Empowering and equipping students to become ethical leaders, systems thinkers, and effective advocates for a plant-centric future ($6,000)
• Plantrician Project; National – Empowering health care providers with plant-based nutrition education, tools, and resources ($5,000)
• Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs on behalf of Sowing Seeds of Change; West Long Beach, CA – Creating a healthier, more equitable food system through urban agriculture, education, and job training that supports foster youth and young adults with developmental disabilities ($6,000)
• SUPRSEED; South Central Los Angeles, CA – Developing a subsidized organic grocery and community space to expand the availability of fresh vegan foods ($13,500)
• Upcycled Food Foundation; National – Preventing food from being wasted by growing the upcycled food economy ($8,500)
• Urban Roots MN; St. Paul, MN – Cultivating youth leadership and development through nature, healthy food, and community ($7,500)
• The Pollination Project on behalf of Vegan Hacktivists; National – Promoting plant-based eating and advocating for animals by providing technological support to organizations with similar goals ($5,000)
• Vegan Ingenuity for the 10 Million Black Vegan Women initiative; National – Empowering 10 million Black women to go vegan to live longer, healthier lives ($8,500)
• Wholesome Wave; National – Deploying innovative solutions to address disparities in diet-related illness and enhance nutrition equity by making fruits and vegetables more accessible and affordable to low-income, underserved communities ($7,500)