Karen Washington: Building a Fair Food System

Karen Washington is a trailblazer in urban agriculture who tirelessly advocates for equal access to nutritious food.

Raised in New York City, Karen's journey into activism began in the late 1980s, fueled by her career as a physical therapist and her direct experiences with the disparities in access to healthy produce. Her transformative efforts led to the creation of the Garden of Happiness in the Bronx, a community garden that symbolizes hope and empowerment. She channeled her efforts into promoting and protecting urban green spaces. Challenging the notion that our food system is merely "broken," Karen exposes the systemic inequities in food access, deeply influenced by neighborhood, race, and income.

In our discussion, Karen delves into her initiatives to support BIPOC farmers and businesses through Black Urban Growers (BUGs) and the Black Farmer Fund. She underscores the power of collaboration and community in building a more equitable food system. Karen shares actionable insights on how grassroots efforts can drive meaningful change and what steps we can all take to support this vital movement.

Explore More:

• Instagram: @karwasher
• Websites: Karen Washington | Black Urban Growers | Black Farmer Fund | Rise & Root Farm

Connect with Melissa Ceria and watch video clips of the interviews on Instagram @thelossencounters.

Discover more about this interview series, sign up for the newsletter, and read transcripts at thelossencounters.com.

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