Meeting the Moment:

Fair Food Network's Next Chapter

A Message from Fair Food Network

Though change is always a given, the last few years have demanded more flexibility and resilience from each of us. Today, in a world marked by transition, Fair Food Network is preparing for a new stage in our evolution as an organization. In January 2023, our Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Oran Hesterman, will assume a new role as Founder & Resident Champion. Kate Krauss, our current Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, will take on a new stage in her leadership as CEO.

Over the course of the 13 years since Fair Food Network began, one thing has remained constant: our founding belief in the power of food, which has inspired both Oran and Kate throughout their careers.

When we start with food, we build a path toward better community health, economic opportunity, and environmental resilience. Through today's changes and those still to come, we know that food offers us unlimited potential for building community, creating common ground, and addressing long-standing inequities.

Here's how we are meeting the moment:

Expanding our mission with a new Theory of Change
Building on more than a decade of impact and growth, we're broadening our mission. As we continue to champion the power of food to build thriving communities, we'll do so with a new focus on environmental stewardship and a definitive commitment to equity and justice. We're also guided by an updated Theory of Change that provides a blueprint for our work.

Welcoming new CEO Kate Krauss, alongside a larger leadership team
Kate's transition, unanimously supported by Fair Food Network's board, is a natural evolution for the organization. During her tenure as COO and as Executive Director, Kate built a strong foundation for growth, developed operational infrastructure, and diversified funding and programming. She grew the organization's budget fivefold, expanding work across community-based impact investing, nutrition incentives, evaluation, and public policy. To achieve this, she also tripled Fair Food Network's staff; today, our senior leadership team collectively brings decades of experience in food and agriculture, public health, community-based impact investing, workforce development, entrepreneurship, evaluation, and public policy.

Continuing our collaboration with Oran Hesterman, Founder & Resident Champion
Through writing and public speaking, Oran will champion food-based approaches to lasting systemic change and environmental stewardship. He will also focus on mentoring the next generation of leaders and collaborate with partners, funders, and policymakers to bring about the change we seek.

Furthering our commitment to community listening and accountability
We are committed to local businesses, farmers, families, and communities. We will further build community by listening first when we engage others, developing systems to measure our impact, and holding ourselves accountable along the way. We'll share and exchange knowledge and insights with all who want to improve food as a tool for equity.

SEE THE PRESS RELEASE

Meet Oran

As Fair Food Network enters our next chapter, Oran Hesterman will continue to work alongside our team in his new role as Founder & Resident Champion. Hear Oran's reflections on what's next and how our organization is evolving to meet the moment.

HEAR FROM ORAN

"Kate is the leader we need to meet this moment. Kate sees food as a source of joy and a path to justice, which is exactly what is needed for the road ahead. She will ensure that Fair Food Network remains an effective and enduring organization."

- Oran B. Hesterman, PhD, Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Soon-to-be Resident Champion

Meet Kate

For more than two decades, Kate has dedicated her professional life to pursuing transformative, actionable solutions to deeply rooted problems. When she assumes her new position at the helm of Fair Food Network, she will continue to guide the organization in its commitment to grow community health and wealth through food.

HEAR FROM KATE

13 Years and Counting

We launched Fair Food Network in 2009 with an entrepreneurial spirit and an unwavering commitment to our mission: to grow community health and wealth through food. 13 years in, we're just beginning. Come and explore our milestones along the way.