North Star Fund Announces New Community Food Funders Affinity Group

Press release (Oct. 25, 2011) — North Star Fund, New York's community foundation supporting grassroots groups leading the movement for equality, economic justice and peace, announced the Community Food Funders (CFF). CFF will support the growth of an equitable, ecologically sound and sustainable food system in New York, New Jersey and southern Connecticut. “More focus on a regional food system will mean more local jobs, a cleaner environment, and healthier people,” said Hugh Hogan, executive director of North Star Fund.

CFF will provide information, resources and networking opportunities for funders to invest strategically in growing, processing and distributing food locally. “From land use, to healthcare and economic development, almost every funder’s mission is tied in some way to our food system,” said Hogan.

Conceived jointly by the North Star Fund and the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, CFF is coordinated by the North Star Fund. “With over twenty years’ experience funding the movement for a more sustainable food and agriculture system, the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation is pleased to partner with the North Star Fund. In order for systems change to take hold, it must be firmly rooted by the needs and aspirations of local communities. North Star’s decades of expertise supporting community leaders is a great asset," said Kolu Zigbi, program officer for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems.

CFF is led by a steering committee comprised of grantmakers from The Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, North Star Fund, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and The New World Foundation. Interested funders should contact Michael Easterling: Michael@northstarfund.org or 212.620.9110 for more information.