sarah salem

Hudson Valley Food System Coalition

I am a network leader and freelance food systems strategy consultant specializing in transformative social innovation (TSI), regional food security strategy, food systems thinking, and equitable food systems network development. As the founder of the Hudson Valley Food System Coalition, I brought together more than 100 food system stakeholders and guided them through the development of a regional trans-disciplinary coalition to work across sectors.

Previously, I was the Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives at Dutchess Outreach, our region’s widest-reaching food access organization. I was elected to serve as a common council member on the City of Poughkeepsie Council in 2017 and have since been elected to serve as the Legislative Chair of the council in 2019 and 2021. During my tenure on the Council, I worked closely with my colleagues and the community to establish critical pieces of legislation related to the social, environmental, and economic well-being of our community, leading the charge on engaging the City of Poughkeepsie in a Community Choice Aggregation program, codifying a Natural Resources Inventory, establishing a Poughkeepsie/Dutchess Land Bank, initiating a Municipal ID program, passing Good Cause Eviction legislation, as well as other important public safety, housing, economic justice, and environmental justice policies.

Additionally, I am and have been a member of numerous food system and community stakeholder groups, have participated in both the Pattern for Progress and Good Work Institute fellowship programs, I was awarded the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40 Mover and Shaker award in 2018, and the EPA Environmental Champion award in 2016 for my work with Zero Waste Company, Zero to Go. My personal mission statement is to promote a learning environment within community by convening a diversity of voices, ideas, and perspectives working across organizations, institutions, and populations to deepen our collective understanding toward a more equitable and just society with the reward of a thriving economy, vibrant regenerative ecosystem, and the rights of the people developed and maintained.