What is a food desert? What is food aparthied? How does access or lack of access to fresh and nutritious foods affect a community? Ife Kilimanjaro, Ph.D. and Co-Executive Director of Soul Fire Farm and Carol Shattuck of Food Rescue US will discuss historical practices that have led to our current food systems and how local communities can help to change the system by working with and for their neighbors. Understanding historical policies and practices is a great step in creating space for a new conversation regarding food security and a healthy future for all.

**UPDATED**Bios:

Ife Kilimanjaro, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director / Managing Director (she/her), is a grandmother, author, researcher, educator, activist, traditional healer and spirit warrior whose life and work are informed by her deep commitment to healing, justice and co-creating a better world. A sociologist and organizer, prior to Soul Fire Farm, Ife Kilimanjaro served as the senior network engagement director at the U.S. Climate Action Network. She was spurred to work on environmental issues after working as an elementary school principal in Detroit, where she saw children get sick and miss school because of air pollution and lack of access to clean water.

Carol Shattuck, CEO, Food Rescue US While Carol’s career includes work in the for-profit, nonprofit and public sectors, her passion is helping mission driven organizations do more and do it better. For thirteen years beginning in 2001, she worked at AmeriCares, the global health and emergency response organization where she held senior leadership positions. In 2015 she joined Military Adaptive Sports Inc., the nonprofit set up to plan and execute the Orlando 2016 Invictus Game, an international competition for wounded active and retired service men and women. Founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the Games raise awareness for the power of sports in recovery. Carol joined Food Rescue US as a Director in 2015. She became CEO in April 2018. She is committed to working alongside all our stakeholders to reduce widespread hunger and food waste in the U.S. She believes fervently in the Food Rescue US “simple and smart solution” to these two serious crises.

The Dinner Disrupted series is a partnership of libraries in Fairfield and New Haven County engaging patrons in collective discussions and actions focused on engaging residents to play a more active role in their food system.