HISTORY
Together we've helped to shape, transform and elevate the conversations and movements towards a just and sustainable food system for all. However, we know this work is never done, and it continues, so as the friends and partnerships we've built with along the way!
2008
The Brooklyn Food Coalition (BFC) was born as an outgrowth of the Safe Food squad of the Park Slope Food Coop (PSFC). The Safe Food squad studied the food system and realized the potential for a "Food Democracy" movement and to catalyze this movement in New York City.
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
The Brooklyn Food Coalition (BFC) was born as an outgrowth of the Safe Food squad of the Park Slope Food Coop (PSFC). The Safe Food squad studied the food system and realized the potential for a "Food Democracy" movement and to catalyze this movement in New York City.
2009
- First Brooklyn Food Conference *1
- Founding of the BFC *2 with growing support and interest from allies
- Partnership with the Park Slope Food Coop (PSFC) and the Future Time Off Program (FTOP) *3
- School Food (SF) Network established *4
- BFC Policy and Labor committees established
- Facilitated (11) neighborhood groups and the Council of Neighborhood Groups *5
- Participated in a citywide coalition campaign with NYC Childhood Nutrition Reauthorization (NYC for CNR) *6
- BFC’s first website and logo was created
2010
- BFC supported Councilman Brad Lander’s School Food Rocks Conference *7
- PT School Food Outreach Coordinator hired *8
- School Food Network (SFN) Meetings *9
- BFC’s first office: Rental desk space *10
2011
- Planning and organizing for the 2nd Brooklyn Food Conference
- Conference coordinator hired *11
- School Food building and expansion *12
- Partnered with Councilman Lander to draft the New York City Council Resolution for Healthy, Sustainable School Food (School Food Resolution) *13
- BFC Labor Committee growth of work and partnerships - engagement of labor ally Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA)
- Educational forums and crop mobs helping local farmers
- Moved to another office location *14
- Interim Steering Committee established to guide BFC’s governance *15
- Entered into fiscal sponsorship with Open Space Institute (OSI) *16
2012
- Second Brooklyn Food Conference *17
- BFC School Food expands parental engagement in policy and organizing
- BFC Labor Committee continued to support FCWA, and works with Brandworkers, Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), and campaign for Farm Workers Rights bill
- BFC Policy Committee pursued Farm Bill advocacy
- BFC visioning the NYC Food Forum and helped to organize initial meetings of the group
- BFC Special Event: Moving Toward Racial Equity in the Food Movement (Oct. 19, 2012)
- Director of Organizing and Policy hired *18
- Convening of the first Governing Board *19
2013
- BFC Special Event: Time to Unite the Food Movement, Panel Discussion (Jan. 30, 2013)
- BFC Fundraiser - An evening with Mark Bittman & the Future of Food (April 20, 2013)
- Hired PT School Food Support *20
- School Food Fellows Program
- Brownsville School Garden and School Garden Groundbreaking *22
- Universal School Meals campaign (“Lunch4Learning”)
- BFC Labor Committee continues to support food justice campaigns *23
- Executive Director *24
- BFC Membership meeting *25
- Hired Full Time School Food Associate/Organizer *26
- Labor Committee joins Restaurant Opportunity Center (ROC) and Brooklyn Roundtable established
- Mayoral Forum & NYC Food Forum *27
- BFC Event: 2nd Forum on Racism and the Food Justice Movement
- End of year Membership thank you party and award ceremony *28
2014
- Joined Domestic Food Trade Alliance (DFTA) and Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA)
- First Board Retreat (February) *29
- NorthStar Movement Leadership Program (February - November) *30
- Frederick Douglas Award from Northstar (April)
- Membership relaunch (May)
- Food Workers video support with FCWA
- Fundraising Event - Summer Food Fest (June)
- Transition process begins for new fiscal sponsor (July) *31
- BFC Labor committee attends Amy's Bread negotiations
- People’s Climate March (September)
- New Office location *32
- Strategic Planning year for the organization
- Leadership Transition Team Established (Board and members from Policy & Labor Committee) New vision and work plan for the BFC
2015
- Transition and building new board *33
- Stakeholders Report Back Meetings
- BFC Transition timeline overview
- Community Supported Education program (CSE program) *34
- New Advisory Board *35
- Community Exchanges*
- Community Empowerment*
- New Membership model*
- Website and Logo*
- New Advisory Board*
2016
- BFC Empowerment Road Map*
- Member-Board development*
- Community Supported Education model*
- Fundraising - Workshops Coaching and direct appeals*
- Fiscal Sponsor transition to FJC
- BFC Project re-assessed and activities placed on hold ~*~
2017
- BFC Legacy project - organize and document the history of the BFC, and its contribution in advancing the food movement.
*1 ~Held July, 2009, over 300 volunteers participated in organizing this free conference, which was attended by approximately 3,000 people.
*2 ~The BFC was founded at the conclusion of the 1st Brooklyn Food Conference. 80 people gathered at the Brooklyn Society of Ethical Culture to establish the structure, function, and mission of the new organization.
*3 ~The FTOP program allows BFC members to credit their time volunteering for the BFC towards their PSFC work shift requirements.
*4 ~The School Food Network included activist parents wanting to improve the food in their kids' schools; BFC’s work focused on organizing parents and youth from low-income communities.
*5 ~The Council coordinated initiatives with the School Food, Labor and Policy committees with representatives from each Neighborhood Group representing the Council.
*6 ~BFC collected 5,000 signatures on letters to senate and congress members advocating for healthy and sustainable school food.
*7 ~Organized by Brad Lander’s office to bring together parents, educators, students, SchoolFood staff, and food activists to learn and work together to achieve healthier and more sustainable school food throughout District 15. BFC was strong support for this initiative. Over 200 parents attend the event.
*8 ~Beatriz Beckford
*9 ~ SFN meetings were held every other month during the school year with average 30 - 40 parents in attendance and a 300+ mailing list.
*10 ~The BFC’s first office was a rented desk space located in “The Commons” at 388 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn NY.
*11 ~Jessie Alter
*12 ~Established parent groups in 10+ schools across various Brooklyn communities.
*13 ~See resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education’s Office of School Food to increase the health of food options in school lunches and breakfasts by implementing the recommendations of the Brooklyn Food Coalition “Roadmap for Healthy, Sustainable School Food.
*14 ~ Secured permanent office space at 33 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn NY (rented desk space).
*15 ~BFC Interim Steering Committee (2011-2012): Nancy Romer (BFC General Coordinator), Winton Wedderburn (Secretary), Christine Rico (Treasurer), Daniel Brady, Diana Colon, Jes Rooks, Karin Fleish, Kassy Nystrom, Michelene Brown, Monique Powell.
*16 ~February 03, 2011 entered into sponsorship agreement with OSI; Nancy Romer as Project Leader.
*17 ~300 volunteers coordinated the free conference - 6,000 attendees, 500 vendors, 150 workshops, and more - Conference Brochure.
*18 ~ Beatriz Beckford (prior PT School Food Coordinator).
*19 ~ Governance board members - Nancy Romer, Arif Ullah, Diana Robinson, Hilary Papineau, Jay Smith, Kassy Nystrom, Regina Ginyard, Richard Mandelbaum, Lisa Marsh (resigned 2014), Darrell Robinson (resigned 2014), George Edwards (resigned early 2013), Yemi Amu (resigned early 2013).
*20 ~February 2013 - Simone Herbin
*21 ~ In partnership with Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger (BSCHA) and students of Mott Hall IV and Eagle Academy.
*22 ~April 2013
*23 ~ Participation in Rural Migrant Ministries push for NYS Legislation for Farmwork Bill of Rights; Support of Brandworkers and Amy’s Bread Campaign.
*24 ~ May 2013 - Kady Ferguson hired as first ED / Project leader.
*25 ~ May 2013 - First membership meeting to ratify organization Board of Directors and Bylaws.
*26 ~ September 2013 - Simone Herbin promoted (prior PT School Food Coordinator).
*27 ~ BFC helped develop initial policy briefs, played leadership role in organizing the 1st Mayoral Food Forum at the New School and set the stage for NYC Food Forum, convening of partner organizations.
*28 ~ Five BFC members honored for their work and contributions in 2013 ~Shanora Heath (Parent Fellow supporting school food work at Mott Hall IV Middle School), ~ Will Owen (BFC Member, organization support on graphic designs) ~ Biko Koenig (Labor Committee Communications, Brand Workers Ally) ~ Hilary Papineau (Governance Board member, Policy Committee Co-Chair) ~ Darrell Robinson (Governance Board member and Community Chef).
*29 ~ Facilitated by consultant Kelly McGowan at Brooklyn College See Board Retreat Document
*30 ~BFC Frederick Douglass Award Honoree
*31 ~Transfer to new fiscal sponsor Community Partners from Open Space Institute
*32 ~ BFC moves to new (2 room) office at Union Temple, Eastern Parkway. Strategic planning meetings, committee and board meetings, membership engagements and other activities were held in office.
*33 ~ See Board Exit Interviews-A Qualitative Analysis of the BFC-2015
*34 - November 2015 - CSE program soft launch with John Maney Jr., with participants including Brooklyn Rescue Mission and Village House Gardeners.
*35 ~ BFC New Advisory Board established with fiscal sponsor support, Jill Lanier (Chair), Jay Smith (Vice Chair), Thomas Helmeck (Secretary), CB members: Ebony Banks (resident.connect.care), Rose Gorman (NY Writers Coalition), John Maney Jr. (Artist, Writer), Davin Davis (Youth Health Professional), Sadiki Atiba (Natural Heath Practitioner & Lifestyle Wellness Coach).
This page is a work in progress and will be updated as more information is provided. Data can be sent using the contact form by clicking here.
*2 ~The BFC was founded at the conclusion of the 1st Brooklyn Food Conference. 80 people gathered at the Brooklyn Society of Ethical Culture to establish the structure, function, and mission of the new organization.
*3 ~The FTOP program allows BFC members to credit their time volunteering for the BFC towards their PSFC work shift requirements.
*4 ~The School Food Network included activist parents wanting to improve the food in their kids' schools; BFC’s work focused on organizing parents and youth from low-income communities.
*5 ~The Council coordinated initiatives with the School Food, Labor and Policy committees with representatives from each Neighborhood Group representing the Council.
*6 ~BFC collected 5,000 signatures on letters to senate and congress members advocating for healthy and sustainable school food.
*7 ~Organized by Brad Lander’s office to bring together parents, educators, students, SchoolFood staff, and food activists to learn and work together to achieve healthier and more sustainable school food throughout District 15. BFC was strong support for this initiative. Over 200 parents attend the event.
*8 ~Beatriz Beckford
*9 ~ SFN meetings were held every other month during the school year with average 30 - 40 parents in attendance and a 300+ mailing list.
*10 ~The BFC’s first office was a rented desk space located in “The Commons” at 388 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn NY.
*11 ~Jessie Alter
*12 ~Established parent groups in 10+ schools across various Brooklyn communities.
*13 ~See resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education’s Office of School Food to increase the health of food options in school lunches and breakfasts by implementing the recommendations of the Brooklyn Food Coalition “Roadmap for Healthy, Sustainable School Food.
*14 ~ Secured permanent office space at 33 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn NY (rented desk space).
*15 ~BFC Interim Steering Committee (2011-2012): Nancy Romer (BFC General Coordinator), Winton Wedderburn (Secretary), Christine Rico (Treasurer), Daniel Brady, Diana Colon, Jes Rooks, Karin Fleish, Kassy Nystrom, Michelene Brown, Monique Powell.
*16 ~February 03, 2011 entered into sponsorship agreement with OSI; Nancy Romer as Project Leader.
*17 ~300 volunteers coordinated the free conference - 6,000 attendees, 500 vendors, 150 workshops, and more - Conference Brochure.
*18 ~ Beatriz Beckford (prior PT School Food Coordinator).
*19 ~ Governance board members - Nancy Romer, Arif Ullah, Diana Robinson, Hilary Papineau, Jay Smith, Kassy Nystrom, Regina Ginyard, Richard Mandelbaum, Lisa Marsh (resigned 2014), Darrell Robinson (resigned 2014), George Edwards (resigned early 2013), Yemi Amu (resigned early 2013).
*20 ~February 2013 - Simone Herbin
*21 ~ In partnership with Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger (BSCHA) and students of Mott Hall IV and Eagle Academy.
*22 ~April 2013
*23 ~ Participation in Rural Migrant Ministries push for NYS Legislation for Farmwork Bill of Rights; Support of Brandworkers and Amy’s Bread Campaign.
*24 ~ May 2013 - Kady Ferguson hired as first ED / Project leader.
*25 ~ May 2013 - First membership meeting to ratify organization Board of Directors and Bylaws.
*26 ~ September 2013 - Simone Herbin promoted (prior PT School Food Coordinator).
*27 ~ BFC helped develop initial policy briefs, played leadership role in organizing the 1st Mayoral Food Forum at the New School and set the stage for NYC Food Forum, convening of partner organizations.
*28 ~ Five BFC members honored for their work and contributions in 2013 ~Shanora Heath (Parent Fellow supporting school food work at Mott Hall IV Middle School), ~ Will Owen (BFC Member, organization support on graphic designs) ~ Biko Koenig (Labor Committee Communications, Brand Workers Ally) ~ Hilary Papineau (Governance Board member, Policy Committee Co-Chair) ~ Darrell Robinson (Governance Board member and Community Chef).
*29 ~ Facilitated by consultant Kelly McGowan at Brooklyn College See Board Retreat Document
*30 ~BFC Frederick Douglass Award Honoree
*31 ~Transfer to new fiscal sponsor Community Partners from Open Space Institute
*32 ~ BFC moves to new (2 room) office at Union Temple, Eastern Parkway. Strategic planning meetings, committee and board meetings, membership engagements and other activities were held in office.
*33 ~ See Board Exit Interviews-A Qualitative Analysis of the BFC-2015
*34 - November 2015 - CSE program soft launch with John Maney Jr., with participants including Brooklyn Rescue Mission and Village House Gardeners.
*35 ~ BFC New Advisory Board established with fiscal sponsor support, Jill Lanier (Chair), Jay Smith (Vice Chair), Thomas Helmeck (Secretary), CB members: Ebony Banks (resident.connect.care), Rose Gorman (NY Writers Coalition), John Maney Jr. (Artist, Writer), Davin Davis (Youth Health Professional), Sadiki Atiba (Natural Heath Practitioner & Lifestyle Wellness Coach).
This page is a work in progress and will be updated as more information is provided. Data can be sent using the contact form by clicking here.
