HEAL Food Alliance

School of Political Leadership

Meet the Cohorts
HEAL's School of Political Leadership (SoPL) is a six month long political leadership program that supports teams of talented, passionate, food and farm justice leaders who are advocating for policies and solutions that reimagine our food and farm systems. Our SoPL leaders are creating a blueprint for an inclusive, democratic food and farm system that is accountable to all of our communities.

We believe this renewed system should prioritize:
Community
Community needs over corporate profits
Sustainability
Biodiversity and thriving ecosystems
Dignified Work
Safe and dignified working conditions that include living wages and democratic decision-making
Real Food
Healthy, accessible and affordable food for all people

Why SoPL? Why Now?

 poor representation

Our elected decision-makers are failing our communities. For too long the people who determine our food and farm policies  have been placing profit over people and planet.  

our Communities Drive Change

The best advocates for driving solutions to transform our food and farm systems are the leaders who share the values, hopes and experiences of the people most burdened by those systems. 

The Time is Right

Across the country a surge of political energy is driving everyday people to take leadership in their communities. Frontline communities must continue to create change and adapt to the shifting landscape presented by a global pandemic, racial, economic and ecological injustice.

to Transform the System

The HEAL SoPL equips participants with the tools, skills and knowledge to grow grassroots political leadership in their communities. It is time for new leadership and governance that truly works by and for the people.  

Our SoPL Leaders

SoPL leaders are teams of farmers, community activists, organizers, educators, and advocates working in grassroots communities across the United States. Their work is creating pathways for a reimagined food and farm system - one in which every community has the right and the means to produce, procure, prepare, share, and eat nutritionally and culturally appropriate food free from exploitation of themselves, any other people, or the rest of the natural world.

Meet the Leaders

Button for 2018 SoPL cohort