Background

The Milwaukee Food Council is a network of community members and organizations, professionals, and government officials committed to supporting a food system that is community-driven, healthy, environmentally sustainable, and economically vibrant. We strive to incorporate diverse voices and perspectives, inclusive of all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other identity groups, and uplift youth and intergenerational exchange. The Milwaukee Food Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization guided by a small board of directors.

Mission & Vision

Our vision is a Milwaukee food system that is community-driven, healthy, environmentally sustainable, and economically vibrant; and we believe this state is achieved only when it is inclusive of all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other identity groups.

Our mission is to support a locally-anchored food system that advances Milwaukee’s social, economic, environmental well-being through collective action.

We are a network and a movement — advancing culture, policy, and practice towards a healthier and more equitable food system. Through research, education, community development, and policy, we engage our network in collective action to cultivate change…

Board of Directors

In the past, the Milwaukee Food Council Board Directors have been elected by a democratic voting process, allowing anyone who paid membership dues to the Milwaukee Food Council to vote in a yearly election. As of September 2020, the Board suspended this election process in order to reexamine equitable decision making and power structures. 

We anticipate having up to 4 open board seats in 2022. Anyone interested in a leadership opportunity to advance an equitable Milwaukee food system should contact us to learn more about serving.

Our current board directors are:

• Delia Gast
• Randy McCarthy
• Danielle Nabak
• Andi Sciacca
• Sophia Torrijos
• Leslie Walker

Staff

The Milwaukee Food Council is fortunate to partner with the UW-Madison Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to support a Healthy Food Systems Coordinator position. The Healthy Food Systems Coordinator is responsible for facilitating neighborhood-based collective action and resident engagement to advance a healthier food system.

Lee Valentyn is currently serving in this role. If you would like to learn more or get in touch, please reach him at lee.valentyn@wisc.edu.