Our food system is in crisis. Farmers and food businesses are struggling. 5 million Texans live in food deserts. Vulnerable groups like women and people-of-color are disproportionately affected. The food system is responsible for a third of greenhouse gas emissions and Texas is one of the worst affected states when it comes to climate change. There are no simple fixes to this complex challenge. Our coalition convenes leaders who bring tested approaches from their respective fields that form a comprehensive solution puzzle that centers around transformational technologies like blockchain and OIT. Our coalition is creating an enabling ecosystem to bring these technologies and approaches to farmers and businesses along the food value chain, with special focus on those marginalized. As a result they can become more productive, competitive, profitable and resilient. As a recent study concluded, “inclusive food systems can help break the inter-generational cycle of poverty, hunger and malnutrition.”
Representative: Xiaochen Zhang, President
Role: global transformative technology expert network, accelerator and financing platform and new digital infrastructure
Representative: Anna Clark, President
Role: Awareness raising, sustainability communication, collective action convenings and facilitation
Representative: Anna Clark, Co-Founder
Role: convening key stakeholders, program coordination across stakeholders and coalition partners
Global Inclusive Economy Society
Representative: Dr. Debra Perry, Co-Founder
Role: Global experts of blended finance, sustainable inclusive food systems & best practice databases
Representative: Dr. Robert Hunt
Role: partners in communities across Texas. Hosts of demonstration projects, training and incubator programs
Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity, Lyle School of Engineering, SMU
Representative: Dr. Eva Szalkai Csaky, Executive Director
Role: manages the food system social enterprise program and toolbox, supports early stage innovation and manages a local expert network
Role: GIS Mapping/analysis, Sustainable Inclusive Design
Caruth Institute for Engineering Education, Lyle School of Engineering, SMU
Representatives:
Youth STEM Education: Dr. Richard Duschl
Adult STEM Education: Dr. DeeDee Conway
Role: STEM education
Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center
VR Small, President
Role: incubator, entrepreneur support
Representative: Benjamin J. Vann
Role: incubator, entrepreneur support
Forward Planning Food Business Incubation
Representative: Doric Earl
Role: incubator, entrepreneur support
Youth Social Enterprise Program
Representative: Dr. Candice Bledsoe
Role: youth entrepreneur incubator & support
Amy Seidman, CEO
Role. BFlo technology, which - Blockchain for social impact platform, the only technology of its kinds able to track environmental and social