Food Access Advocates - Neighborhood Food Action Collaborative
The Neighborhood Food Action Collaborative (NFAC) is a community-centered, cross-sector network made up of community residents, community-based organizations, local healthcare organizations, and government institutions to design solutions to address food insecurity and create solutions for a more equitable and efficient food ecosystem in Boston.
NFAC leverages the power of community voice and trusted networks to address food insecurity in our communities while building community ownership. Funded by the Mayor’s Office of Food Justice, Vital CxNs, in partnership with Health Leads, has hired and trained community members to serve as “food access advocates” providing peer-to-peer advocacy and enrollment support for government-funded food programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP).
Vital CxNs sat down with five of our NFAC food access advocates to hear their stories, the major food access challenges they see facing their neighbors in Boston, and their advice to others who are interested in getting involved in their communities.
Sophia Michel, Food Access Advocate
How long have you been involved with NFAC?
January 2020. (Since the beginning!)
What inspired you to get involved with nutrition education and advocacy?
Sophia (left) and Rebecca (right) pictured at the 2024 Empty Bowls event, an annual fundraiser for NFAC.
I am a mother of three. I was born and raised in Boston, but my parents are from Haiti, so I speak fluent Haitian Creole. During the pandemic, I saw a lack of food resources available in the community and I wanted to be more closely connected to the community, close the SNAP gap, and have a positive impact.
What is the biggest challenge facing nutrition assistance in Boston?
Many people know that resources exist, but they don’t know how to use them because of technological barriers. Physical materials like flyers are essential for many communities, like the elderly. There are also language barriers that prevent communities from utilizing resources, so it’s essential to walk through with people how to use HIP, SNAP, and Double Up Food Bucks in person.
What advice do you have for other community members who may be interested in getting involved in advocacy work?
Start small and keep growing – we are the voice for our community and it takes a group effort.
“Start small and keep growing - we are the voice for our community and it takes a group effort”
How has NFAC supported your work as a community advocate?
I completed a community health workers training program and assist at food pantries across the city with other NFAC members.
What is your favorite nutritious meal to cook or purchase?
Every Sunday, my kids and I sit down to plan meals for the week. I always try to get them involved and create nutritious meals that I know they’ll enjoy, like homemade fruit smoothies in the morning. For dinner, we frequently cook chicken, rice, and some sort of vegetable, like broccoli, sweet potato, or corn. We also always enjoy taco Tuesday!
Rebecca Riley Greene, NFAC Community Leader
How long have you been involved with NFAC?
I’ve been involved with NFAC for about two and a half years.
What inspired you to get involved with nutrition education and advocacy?
I was born and raised in Hyde Park. Since young adulthood, I always helped out neighbors that needed assistance, especially my elderly or non-English speaking neighbors. Once COVID hit, I started volunteering at different food pantries and became involved with NFAC. It’s all about helping the community.
Teri (left) and Rebecca (right) pictured at a community event.
What is the biggest challenge facing nutrition assistance in Boston?
There is a lack of resources available. Of the resources that are available, many communities don’t know that they exist or they don’t know how to access them. In addition, some food pantries are limited with the variety of healthy foods that they provide. There should be more culturally appropriate food options available for community members.
What advice do you have for other community members who may be interested in getting involved in advocacy work?
Come to NFAC meetings and meet the team. There is flexibility in volunteering, like in the evenings or on weekends, so there are many opportunities if you’re interested in getting involved.
How has NFAC supported your work as a community advocate?
Getting to know NFAC members and hearing other peoples’ stories and experiences has made it easier for me to help out people on an individual level.
What is your favorite nutritious meal to cook or purchase?
Cooking soothes my soul. I love to cook food from a variety of cultures, like Chinese, Thai, Haitian, and Caribbean.
Teri Trotman, Food Access Advocate
How long have you been involved with NFAC?
At least 3 years. But I’ve been feeding the homeless and providing food for families and for over 10.
What inspired you to get involved with nutrition education and advocacy?
I am an only child and have had the privilege of participating in activities like piano, ballet, and Girl Scouts growing up. When my youngest daughter was in school, I worked as a parent liaison and saw so many children that were hungry.
“As a worker in the food industry, I am frequently taking leftovers to give to those who need it the most. There is so much food waste and I knew that I needed to be a part of a solution. I can’t sit back and watch. ”
What is the biggest challenge facing nutrition assistance in Boston?
Terri (right) with advocates Anthony Carpinelli (left) and Maisha Haley (middle) at a Community Health Hub.
A lack of knowledge of where to get healthy food is a big issue. Most people don’t know about the Health Incentives Program (HIP) and Double Up Food Bucks. Even if they have EBT cards, they don’t know how to use their benefits. We need to better communicate to families how to use HIP and Double Up. We should also introduce nutritious food to our children early and often so they’re not just craving junk food. It truly takes a village.
What advice do you have for other community members who may be interested in getting involved in advocacy work?
Just ask! Contact your local food pantries and ask if you can volunteer. There is always help that is needed.
How has NFAC supported your work as a community advocate?
I attend bi-weekly NFAC meetings. Vital CxNs also has great food access materials and resources.
What is your favorite nutritious meal to cook or purchase?
At the farmers market, I like to purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables, like corn on the cob, mangos, avocados, grapes, and watermelon! I also love seafood.
Sam pictured at a community event.
Sam Wu-Topolski, Food Access Advocate
How long have you been involved with NFAC?
I have been involved with NFAC for 3-4 months.
What inspired you to get involved with nutrition education and advocacy?
I am originally from Taiwan and I have two children who were born in Boston. I wanted to become involved in food access advocacy because when I moved to the States, I didn’t have family or friends close to me and I didn’t know which food resources were available. Once I started volunteering at my childrens’ school, I wanted to spread the word about the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and other nutrition resources that I was not aware of when I moved to the country. I love gaining knowledge and telling other people about the importance of community connection. That has kept me going.
“I love gaining knowledge and telling other people about the importance of community connection. That has kept me going. ”
What is the biggest challenge facing nutrition assistance in Boston?
The biggest challenge for many communities is language access. We should work on conducting community outreach and building relationships to talk about available resources in community members’ native languages.
What advice do you have for other community members who may be interested in getting involved in advocacy work?
I learned about food resources through community connections, but advocates should consider creating public campaigns through social media, flyers, and posters so families that aren’t as connected can learn more about which resources exist.
How has NFAC supported your work as a community advocate?
Through NFAC, I learned about the East Boston Family Engagement Network (EBFEN), which connects families with young children to housing, financial, and other types of resources. I now work with them as a parent partner.
What is your favorite nutritious meal to cook or purchase?
I don’t cook much, but I have started to drink green juice with kale, apple, cucumber, water, and ginger. It’s easy and delicious, and I have started drinking it with friends, which makes it easier to stay on track!
Kimberlee Cortes, Food Access Advocate
How long have you been involved with NFAC?
Kimberlee pictured at a community event.
I've been with NFAC since May of 2024.
What inspired you to get involved with nutrition education and advocacy?
I have always had a passion for helping people. I previously worked at a food pantry in Philadelphia called Chosen 300 Ministries and when I moved to Boston, MA, I wanted to get involved in food access and learn more about resources available to Boston residents. I’ve noticed that there are so many people that are struggling to buy food, eat healthy, and find nutrition resources. I enjoy working with people in the community. It's not about me, it's about helping them.
“I enjoy working with people in the community. It’s not about me, it’s about helping them. ”
What is the biggest challenge facing nutrition assistance in Boston?
A lot of people don’t know where to get food, who to talk to about food options, or which state and federal resources exist, including the Health Incentives Program (HIP), Summer EBT, and Double Up Food Bucks. Most people want to eat better, but healthy foods are expensive and hard to find.
What advice do you have for other community members who may be interested in getting involved in advocacy work?
If you have a passion to help people, make sure you do it for the right reason. It has to be something that you want to do to make a positive impact in someone's life. We also need more people to join us!
How has NFAC supported your work as a community advocate?
I participate in Vital CxNs’ bi-weekly Neighborhood Food Action Collaborative (NFAC) meetings. I have also been recently approved for the Tufts Community Health Workers Engaging in Integrated Care (COHERE), which I learned about through NFAC.
What is your favorite nutritious meal to cook or purchase?
I love to cook caesar salad with salmon. It's a great combination!
The Neighborhood Food Action Collaborative (NFAC) meets bi-weekly, visit our landing page to sign up for our NFAC listserv.
Published: August 2024
written by Kate Rodriguez, Health Equity Scholar
