Cultivating the Next Generation of Food Justice Leaders

Building an Equitable Food System, One Leader at a Time

The current food system has degraded the health of people, communities, and the planet, leading to inequitable access to sustainable and nourishing foods. Foodwise works to promote an equitable and sustainable food community by operating world-class farmers markets and educational programs. They recognized that confronting these systemic inequities requires a diverse, inclusive network of informed and engaged change agents.

The organization’s program, Foodwise Teens (FWT) was uniquely positioned to engage young people in this effort, leveraging the organization’s connection to the farmers market community and partnerships with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and other community-based organizations.

The challenge was not in the mission, but in codifying the successful program elements into a clear, documented strategic foundation. The organization needed a program design that would not only strengthen the case for support with funders and partners but also ensure a shared understanding of the program’s scope to guide future decision-making and support rigorous measurement and evaluation.

Anchoring Strategy in Youth Expertise

To translate Foodwise’s core values into an organized, measurable program structure, we applied our expertise in human-centered program design. Our strategy centered on a philosophy fundamental to the client’s work: teens are the experts on their own lives and are effective change agents. Rather than designing a framework in a vacuum, we utilized a highly participatory approach, conducting collaborative exploratory and design sessions for Theory of Change mapping. To clarify the program vision and glean insights for expanded programming, mentorship, and job training, Health+ synthesized perspectives from Foodwise leadership, staff, program alumni, and currently participating teens. This process ensured the model was grounded in the diverse perspectives of all interest holders.

The resulting program model was structured to ensure participants develop competency, connectedness, and critical consciousness to promote food justice. It included:

• A Phased Development Model: FWT program offers multiple opportunities for engagement across three levels: SEED (Educational Program), GROW (Leadership Program), and CULTIVATE (Career Program, including job placements).
• Guiding Principles Centered on Youth: The program recognizes that teens are the experts on their own lives and explicitly commits to uplifting the voices of teens and encouraging them to take ownership in creating change.
• Built-in Evaluation: The strategic documentation included a detailed plan for process and outcome evaluation, explicitly targeting metrics like increased sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and stronger job readiness and leadership skills.

By explicitly committing to uplifting the voices of teens and encouraging them to take ownership of their learning, the FWT model gives participants an opportunity to do more than learn. They develop a positive self-identity and a sense of belonging within the farmers market community.