Mission and Values
Our Mission
Food Shift advances a just and sustainable future by ensuring that nutritious food and people are valued, not overlooked. We engage communities as co-creators in building equitable, climate-conscious food systems.
Our Values
Our decisions and actions are deeply rooted in our values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). From our work culture and hiring process to with whom we partner and how we fundraise, JEDI is our foundational guide.
At Food Shift, we hold these truths to be self-evident:
- In the U.S., financial insecurity is the root cause of food insecurity, not lack of food
- Access to fresh food is a right, not a privilege
- Nourishing food is an investment in health
- Food (and our stewardship of it) reflects our culture
- Food has the power to uplift individuals and communities
…and therefore, we strive to maximize the use of all food, respecting the resources and the care that went into its production.
Language Matters: Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
Language has the power to shape perceptions and create a more inclusive environment. We are committed to using language intentionally and respectfully, guided by our principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI).
We have shifted from “feeding mouths” to “nourishing neighbors” to show agency; we aren’t just a data point, but part of a community. We have shifted from “food waste” to “wasted food” to hold ourselves accountable. Food in landfills didn’t start off as trash, but was a valuable edible resource we neglected.
We adhere to AP Style and strive to write people's names as accurately as possible, including diacritical marks when using Roman alphabets.
We capitalize the "B" in Black when describing Black people and cultures as a sign of respect. Lowercase black refers to a color, while capitalized Black acknowledges the people and cultures of African origin.
Out of respect for Indigenous peoples and cultures, we capitalize the "I" in Indigenous. Lowercase indigenous can refer to anything originating or occurring naturally in a particular place, while capitalized Indigenous specifically refers to Indigenous people and cultures.
We do not capitalize the "W" in white when describing white people. This practice is often used by white supremacist groups and publications to connote the supremacy of the white race. While we do not intend to portray race as something separate from white folks, we follow the lead of Black scholars who have noted that capitalizing the "W" in white people can reinforce white nationalist narratives.
To ensure accountability, we welcome feedback from our community as language evolves.
By embracing these guidelines, we aim to create a more inclusive and respectful space for all.
Get Involved
Help us create lasting change in the food system. Every effort counts.
