On the Road with Fair Food - Jacksonville, FL

Bruce Ganger, CEO of Second Harvest of North Florida, part of the Feeding America Food Bank network, invited FFN’s Oran Hesterman to Jacksonville, FL for a series of meetings, media opportunities, a Fair Food book presentation, and a visit to a local farmers' market.

Bruce comes from a successful career in the corporate and business sector and is using his experience and management skills to quickly propel Second Harvest into a leadership role in the community committed to food systems change.

Oran with Bruce Ganger of Second Harvest

Oran was very enthusiastic about the reception he received and the possibilities for expansion of FFN's ideas and programs:

"It's all about spreading the word and ideas of Fair Food and Double Up Food Bucks beyond those who are already engaged. It's about connecting leaders across the country, some who see themselves primarily as leaders of emergency food agencies, some who see themselves leading community change in the food system through community gardening, and some who see themselves as leading transformation through systems and policy change. It's about informing donors, community leaders, and local, state and national officials of the opportunities for economic development and social inclusion through food systems.

"It's about engaging media to spread the word. It's about inspiring local leadership by telling stories of what is possible and happening in other places. And it's about creating new public private partnerships on the ground that can lead to food systems change. Big business, small business, farmers' markets, radio personalities, nonprofit and for-profit leaders, faith-based organizations, social service agencies all coming together to learn how to manifest change in the food system through examples and embracing a solutionary attitude.”

Oran signing copies of Fair Food in Jacksonville.

Oran gave the keynote speech at the Local Food Summit in Duval County, where community members are spearheading the creation of the first Food Policy Council in the area. He also accompanied Bruce to meetings with community partners to discuss implementing Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks Program in Duval County. Active partners interested in this project include: the Jacksonville Farmers Market, Friends of Northeast Florida Community Gardens, the Duval County Health Department, Slow Food First Coast, and City Councilwoman Lori Boyer.

Read more about Oran’s visit to Jacksonville HERE.