LOCAL, SEASONAL, and DELICIOUS FOOD IS MY PASSION

In 2017, I facilitated a community-based planning process created a shared agenda among network stakeholders across Ohio. “Mapping The Vision for the Future of Ohio’s Food Systems” created an identity and plan that allows network members to better collaborate and strengthen their impact. OFPN now hosts regular webinars providing continuing educational opportunities to connect like-minded food system leaders across Ohio. Check out their upcoming events or recorded episodes.

“Amy helped our group see our potential and then reach it!”

—Jill K. Clark, PhD, Associate Professor
John Glenn College of Public Affairs, The Ohio State University

From 2010-2012, I facilitated a series of strategic planning meetings for Buffalo’s Field and Fork Network that helped align their vision, goals and planned activities and inspire new economic opportunities for farmers and artisan producers in the eight counties of Western New York.

Since 2013, I have helped to launch, grow and manage a farmers’ market nutrition incentive program in Central Ohio. Produce Perks is now a statewide program that increases affordable access to healthy food for the $1.4 million SNAP recipients in Ohio. In 2018, our efforts also generated over $300,000 in sales for local growers at close to 100 locations statewide. With generous support from local, state and federal sources, Produce Perks Columbus has distributed over $65,000 since 2014, strengthening our local economy while directly benefiting local farmers and SNAP shoppers alike.

“Amy is superb. An excellent partner with experience and expertise. She is a food-system leader and has helped develop the nationally recognized Produce Perks program.”

—Tevis Foreman, CEO
Produce Perks Midwest

Successful social change requires the collective effort of many stakeholders. Too often, we let the dynamics of our diverse perspectives and personalities get in the way of our shared work. In this 2019 webinar series entitled “Managing Effective Teams,” I work with food system leaders on the basics of managing effective teams in order to elevate our collective impact.

It took countless post-its and sharpies to capture the thousands of voices that contributed the hundreds of ideas that went into this resident-led and resident-driven Local Food Action Plan in 2017. The result: a community-held plan that will guide the investment of municipal dollars in food-related projects in the areas of healthy neighborhoods, urban agriculture, health education, and economic development over the next few years.

“I greatly appreciated the time spent with Amy working on the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan. She not only brought a high level of expertise to our community, but also inspired many of us through the genuine and customized process that she led us through. Amy was professional, thoughtful and, most importantly, she made certain that the needs of our local community were always the paramount concern.”

—Tom Lowe, Director
IMPACT/ReNU, Niagara University

HPIO provides the information and education that help state legislators and agencies create the policies that can lead to better health outcomes for Ohioans. For several years between 2012-2017, I co-wrote and edited all of their proposals and reports to funders in support of their annual budget goals.

In order to position the young FCLFC to help support City and County leaders in making positive changes in central Ohio’s food system, I facilitated a strategic planning process among council members in 2015. This organizing eventually led to the creation of a City/County Local Food Action Plan that outlines 25 concrete action items in 4 goal areas and aligns the efforts of local agencies and organizations now working to improve the local food system.

When the city of Bexley, Ohio wanted to reimagine their suburban farmers’ market, I led a community-planning process to determine the best location, format and schedule. Since then, I have actively supported this seasonal market as a fundraiser and devoted shopper.

From 2010-2014, I re-designed departmental operations after a thorough comprehensive assessment and planning processes. I managed all of OFRF’s fundraising operations and supported the conversion of their database to a comprehensive customer relations system.

From 2009-11, I wrote several articles for Edible Columbus about my travels in central Ohio’s local food scene.

My training as an ACRE Facilitator is another way I’m working to keep farmers at the center of our food system. ACRE is a formal strategic planning process from North American Food Systems Network (NAFSN) designed to help groups of farmers, especially those in value-chains, work together more effectively in an increasingly complex world.

In 2022, I supported the capital campaign that transformed this food pantry originally housed in an old church rectory on the near east side of Columbus into a brand new 15,000 square foot comprehensive resource center that includes a fresh food market and clothing store, technology and job training, and health and wellness programming.

After a transition in leadership, I facilitated board and staff leaders of this national organic watchdog group to conversations in their first in-person meeting since the pandemic. As their meeting facilitator, I created the spaces for active listening and attention so all the voices present were contributing and heard in the development of their new strategic framework.

With the scenic 326-mile trail that links the Ohio River to Lake Erie through former rail trails and old canal paths nearly complete, the Board of this organization invited me to facilitate their conversations in 2023 as they determined their next chapter of impact.  Together we thoughtfully designed an agenda with the right mix of activities to ensure there was high energy in the room and just the right amount of social time.

In 2022 and 2024, I led the Board of Seeds of Caring through their planning retreats and important conversations about imagining a future with more kindness, more empathy, and more inclusiveness by empowering kids in Columbus and Indianapolis to make a difference in their worlds through service, social-action, and community-building activities.

In 2023, I began reviewing central Ohio restaurants and writing about growers and markets for Columbus Monthly magazine.

In 2024, I facilitated five community-based working groups convened by the New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NYSAWG) who are tasked with collectively identifying results-oriented local food and farm projects in need of capital and programmatic support. These community-informed investments will result in a more equitable, resilient, and wealth-generating regional food economy in western New York.