initiatives
FIG Food Security PROGRAM
From March through December 2020, in emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we delivered prepared meals, fresh produce and pantry staples to hundreds of households every week, in partnership with food businesses in our network and community organizations led by and serving folx at the frontlines of fighting food apartheid.
We relaunched this program in June 2021 in collaboration with Collectivo Intercultural TRANSgrediendo — an incredible trans-Latinx-led community organization — with the aim of going “a mile deep, an inch wide” in our partnerships.
Partnering with TRANSgrediendo, we delivered 70 weekly grocery shares of fresh Brooklyn Grange produce and 1:1 Foods prepared foods to their members for more than 20 weeks this past growing season, powered by space and a delivery van provided by Pixie Scout, each org’s staff, and dedicated volunteers.
For 2022, we are thrilled to be working with 1:1 Foods and Pixie Scout providing weekly meals; and fresh produce starting May through October with thanks to Brooklyn Grange and Rock Steady Farm. Additionally, we’re planning for opportunities to further build comradeship and partnership — including field trips with TG’s queer-and-tran leadership heading up to the queer and trans-led Rock Steady Farm for community work days! — and language lessons for member-organizers.
Check out our past season activities and follow along, here.
FIG STUDY GROUP
FIG began at one of our members' restaurants: Several of us gathered around a table, breaking bread, sharing ideas, and encouraging each other to make the radical, practical in our food businesses.
For years, we met regularly in person as a study group, diving deep into topics ranging from sustainable agriculture, to cooperative economics, to language justice in our industry, to indigenous food sovereignty.
Throughout 2020, core FIGistas piloted an online webinar series, Organizing Owners in Hospitality, to support owners transforming their businesses and showing up for workers in response to COVID-19.
We’re melding this history of peer-to-peer teaching, mentorship, and co-learning to relaunch a FIG education program featuring gatherings with workshops, guest speakers, and more. Study group will ride again!
If you’re an industry professional who would like to join, please email us.