GET TO KNOW YOUR FOODSHED PEOPLE! MEET MONICA
Monica Lin is our newest staff member, filling the crucial role of Logistics Coordinator. She’s the glue that holds our distribution operation together—bridging communications between customers, community, staff and technology and helping us solve the emerging puzzles both at the big picture level as well as at the granular level of operations. And while she’d rather be problem-solving, or meeting face-to-face with our farm stand customers and promotoras than in the public eye, we managed to snag a few minutes of her time to conduct this interview!
Tell us a little bit about yourself, and the life journey that brought you to Foodshed.
Where I find myself now is not too far away from the journey and the intention I’ve always had of taking care of our planet, and causing the least harm possible while I’m here. I used to think (for over a decade) that a vegan diet was the most “cruelty-free”, until I learned about the land and human exploitation that takes place in order to accommodate my consumption. I eventually found my way to Foodshed while I was learning to localize my lifestyle and getting to know the farmers and creators in my community.
What do you do at Foodshed?
I am the logistics coordinator, so I assist in the distribution of our produce. Making sure that the food we aggregate from our many partnering local farms, is getting to the people that support our visions of food justice, land regeneration, and are committed to co-creating a better system where farming is a viable lifestyle.
What makes you feel rooted to this land, to this foodshed you inhabit?
Relationships. Learning and re-learning how to be in relationship with the land and all of our human and non-human kin.
What growth do you wish to see in yourself through your work with Foodshed?I came to join the Foodshed team at a very crucial point in my life where a lot of significant things were shifting. I had felt disempowered and disconnected for many years. So, I wish to continue to witness my growth as I unlearn the limiting beliefs which at times have kept me from seeing the very special role I play in this world.
What growth do you wish to see within Foodshed itself?
So much growth! It excites me to envision and work towards spreading the Foodshed model of equitable pay, and equitable distribution. But, I am most passionate right now about our partnership with CalFresh, which will not only help tackle the issue of food access, but it will bring more voices to the table while we co-create a better world as consumers and producers.
What delights you about this season that is fall?
Golden sunsets, persimmons, and foggy mornings at the farm.
What moves you?
Podcasts, and conversation. Hearing about projects and movements that are bringing us closer to each other. In other words, I am very moved and inspired when witnessing people doing the best they can.
Photo: Here’s Monica breaking it down at one of our Promotoras de Foodshed workshops at the Table of Hope and Dignity in Sherman Heights.
