Advancing Race & Equity: Update Two

Race & Equity Update: The Task Force’s role is as broad as the issues it aims to tackle: to reduce or eliminate racial disparities within the local food system and within the work of NFMs mission.

NFM’s newly formed Race & Equity Task Force had its first meeting this past Tuesday, where we discussed both long-term objectives and immediate actions, as well as their lasting role at the Neighborhood Farmers Markets.

The group will focus on creating a charter as a first step to help guide the group in this work.

As a next step, they have engaged support from a POC consultant experienced in this kind of organizational change, to begin developing an organization-wide plan.

In terms of immediate action, we are committed immediately to two things – one is limited and the other is lasting:

The NFM will make a financial donation to Black Lives Matter, Seattle-King County and use our voice and platforms to amplify fundraising efforts.

The NFM will focus on community-based deescalation alternatives to police in the markets. In addition to our annual de-escalation workshop and resource sharing with Market Managers and Staff, the R&E Task Force will coordinate additional trainings. We will also create materials that can be included in our emergency guidelines and staff handbook.

We are committed to providing frequent updates so that market supporters can follow along as we do the essential work of digging deeper into our commitments on anti-racist action, equity in the food system, and inclusion across our organization.