#USA #Chicago #Urban Growers #Community Food Navigator #food sovereignty

Urban Growers Collective Welcomes Community Food Navigator

In a significant move towards enhancing food equity, the Urban Growers Collective (UGC) has officially incorporated the Community Food Navigator (the Navigator) into its ongoing programs. This transition is a crucial step in UGC's mission to confront and dismantle the deeply rooted inequities and structural racism that pervade the food system in Chicago.

Erika Allen, the CEO of UGC, expressed her enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating, "Together, UGC and the Navigator will continue the work of engaging, supporting and mobilizing Chicago's growers, food leaders and educators. This next chapter strengthens our collective efforts to foster food sovereignty and justice in Black, Brown and Indigenous communities."

The alliance will not only bolster UGC's capabilities but also solidify the Navigator's mission, under the guidance of Director Nick Davis. The Navigator team remains committed to:

• - Convening the BIPOC growing community within the Chicago Foodshed to nurture trust, build relationships, and clarify collective priorities.
• - Coordinating actions among food systems stakeholders to address both immediate and long-term objectives.
• - Telling powerful stories that amplify shared goals while making resources more accessible to the community.
• - Co-designing tools, such as the Navigator App, that empower the community to undertake these initiatives on their own terms.

The vibrant network of urban farmers, mutual aid groups, community kitchens, and food educators is instrumental in propelling Chicago's food system forward. The integration of the Navigator as a division of UGC not only provides stability but also enriches the organization’s capacity to serve as an essential platform for community collaboration.

This initiative is pivotal in challenging systemic issues such as divestment and inequity, while expanding the reach and effectiveness of UGC's food distribution efforts. The combined efforts aim to foster a sustainable and just food system for all.

How to Get Involved

UGC and the Community Food Navigator call upon interested individuals and organizations to participate in this transformative journey. Opportunities for involvement range from volunteering and partnering to contributing donations. Every form of support is vital in keeping these initiatives alive. Those interested in making a difference can visit urbangrowerscollective.org for more information.

About Urban Growers Collective

Urban Growers Collective is a Black woman-led nonprofit located in Chicago, focused on creating nourishing environments that endorse health, economic growth, healing, and creativity through urban agriculture. With a commitment to addressing inequalities and systemic racism within communities of color and the wider food system, UGC views urban agriculture as both a tool and a strategy for change.

About Community Food Navigator

The Community Food Navigator echoes the vision of a food system rooted in justice, advocating for equitable control over food production, distribution, and governance by those who produce, distribute, and consume food. By engaging Chicago's diverse food community, they aim to strengthen connections and foster a sense of collaboration, all while redistributing power and amplifying true narratives about the local food ecosystem.