Do you want to make an impact in your community? Are you passionate about creating a more accessible, equitable food system in Connecticut? The CFSA steering committee could be the perfect place to start!
Who We Are
The Steering Committee is dedicated to organizing and coordinating the network community in its desire to find connectivity, build alignment, and move toward collective action. Steering Committee members also serve as members of our two working groups.
CFSA is seeking dynamic, passionate individuals who can commit several hours per month to the development of the CFSA, which includes: meeting with working groups, planning gatherings, developing a statewide food action plan and a strategic plan for the CFSA, and engaging newcomers with this work. New Steering Committee members will have considerable influence in determining the direction and future activities of the Connecticut Food System Alliance.
We invite YOU (or your nominee) to join us in our effort to build a food system in which everyone has access to healthy, affordable, ethical, and sustainable food. You can read more about CFSA here.
Meet the Current Steering Committee:
CFSA currently has two staff members and 11 steering committee members. We hope to grow this committee in 2022!
- Meg Hourigan, CFSA Coordinator
- Marcella Micillo, CFSA Communications and Administrative Assistant
- Ali Ghiorse, Network Development Working Group, The Foodshed Network
- Jennie Hirsch, Food Plan Working Group, Connecticut Foodshare
- Sarah Huang, Network Development Working Group, New England Grassroots Environment Fund
- Ryan Kennedy, Network Development Working Group, Brigaid
- Brandon Monti, Network Development Working Group, Fresher Choice
- Martha Page, Food Plan Working Group, Hartford Food System
- Cortney Renton, Food Plan Working Group, City Seed
- Alexa Sosa, Food Plan Working Group, Tierra, Agua y Sol
- Latha Swamy, Food Plan Working Group, City of New Haven Food Policy Division
- Cyrena Thibodeau, Food Plan Working Group, CT Department of Agriculture
- Peggy Zamore, Food Plan Working Group, Danbury Farmers’ Market
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time commitment?
Full steering committee meetings occur monthly for 1.5 hours. The Network Development and Food Action Plan working groups individually meet monthly for an additional 1.5 hours. Both the full meetings and working group meetings will not meet for longer than those 1.5 hours and CFSA’s coordinator will work with all members regarding when to establish these regular meetings. Additional volunteer ad hoc committees meet as necessary based on availability. Steering committee members are also expected to attend CFSA events throughout the year. For the foreseeable future, these meetings will be held virtually through Zoom.
Steering committee members make a minimum 1 year commitment.
CFSA offers flexibility to those who can only attend working group meetings and/or those who cannot always attend events.
What credentials are needed to join the steering committee?
CFSA is looking for individuals working in and/or using the existing food system who are passionate about creating a more equitable, sustainable, and local food system. That’s it! We would love to add steering committee members who work in related fields, like housing or city planning, and food system “end users,” anyone who accesses food in Connecticut.
CFSA aims to build a steering committee that can represent the diversity present in our state. In addition to ensuring that our steering committee represents the racial diversity present in Connecticut, we would love to grow our steering committee with voices from the following, currently underrepresented, geographic areas:
- Tolland County
- Windham County
- Litchfield County
- New London County
- Waterbury
- Middletown
How does one submit an application?
The application will be available shortly. Revisit this page and CFSA’s social media frequently for updates.
Is there a deadline?
CFSA will be evaluating applications on a rolling basis. For now, there is no deadline.
Any further questions?
Please contact Meg Hourigan at coordinator@ctfoodsystemalliance.com.
If you are interested in nominating someone to become a CFSA Steering Committee member or are interested becoming a part of the CFSA Steering Committee yourself, please click the button to complete the form. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!
Connecticut Food System Alliance 