WHO WE ARE
The Food Youth Initiative is a project housed at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) with support from a number of community partners.
The FYI Youth are a collective of youth representatives (high school, continuing GED and recent grads) from organizations across the state who are already working towards some aspect of food justice in their individual communities.
WHY YOUTH?
WHY FOOD?
Youth are the most adversely affected by the inequities in the current food system. From their teen years to young adulthood, youth are close to the experiences and needs of our most vulnerable populations. Moreover, even more than “future leaders,” youth are current change-makers.
Food movements are growing out of society’s increasing awareness of what it eats, where and how its food is produced, and the gross inequities in the food distribution. This awareness is about concrete, place-particular issues and needs relating to environmental, economic, health, social, and political concerns.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
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Train the Trainers: youth and youth allies co-create various trainings, sharing skills, knowledge, awareness and tools neccesary to encourage and support personal and justice-based advocacy.
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Connecting youth in a statewide network to increase awareness diverse issues and vitality of peer work, breaking down barriers of isolation
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Youth voice supported as they advocate for their needs with political officials and funders within their communities
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Youth career goals facilitated as they pursue good food and agriculture career paths across the range of food system work.
HOW WE WORK
Food Youth Initiative works with the belief and knowledge that youth are already doing amazing work in their communities. For that reason, the network is designed to build capacity in partnership with four core youth groups that are already doing food justice organizing work in their own communities accross North Carolina.
Gatherings: Food Youth Initiative hosts overnight gatherings to support the development of:
-Improved network amongst core groups
-Professional and career development
-Self and community advocacy (focus on folklore and storytelling)
-Organizational development trainings and capacity building