BOSTON - s4story -- Eleven leaders from across the United States are joining Vital Village Networks as members of the 2026 Community Food Systems Fellowship, a national leadership program designed to strengthen community-driven food systems and expand pathways for local leadership. With the launch of its fifth cohort and the growing alumni network, Vital Village Networks continues to build a national community of local leaders advancing equitable stewardship of food systems.

Supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the fellowship brings together caregivers, organizers, practitioners, and advocates working to advance equitable and resilient local food systems. The fellowship focuses on strengthening family and community leadership, uplifting strengths-based narratives, and fostering collaborative approaches that support community identified solutions and cross-sector partnerships.  Since launching in 2021, the fellowship has engaged leaders working across diverse local food ecosystems throughout the country.

Over the next 18-months, fellows will participate in peer learning, participatory design labs, individualized coaching, tailored mentorship, and collaborative community-based projects that translate ideas into action. Fellows receive stipends and can apply for pilot grants to strengthen community-led innovations advancing food justice.

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This year's cohort will work together to develop a shared vision and roadmap for community-powered food systems while learning alongside alumni mentors and faculty.  The fellowship was originally co-designed with food systems leaders and practitioners, and alumni continue to shape and strengthen the programs evolution.

The 2026 fellows were selected from a robust national applicant pool based on demonstrated leadership, collaborative practice, and commitment to centering local community leadership and advancing racial equity and social transformation within the food system. A selection committee of fellowship staff, alumni, advisors, and partners participated in a multi-stage review process.

2026 Fellows include:

Cami Fredericks (they/them)
Epiphany School Gardens
Boston, MA

Angel Hammon (she/her)
Growing Gardens
Portland, OR

Carl Harrison Jr. (he/him)
St.Roch Community Garden
New Orleans, LA

Grant Gliniecki (he/they)
Giitigan
Lansing, MI

Norma Gonzalez (she/her)
Corbin Hill Food Project (https://corbinhill-foodproject.org)
NY, NY

Kiara Jackson (she/her)

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Illinois Food Justice Alliance (https://ilfoodjustice.org)
Chicago, IL

Paradyse Oakley (she/they)
Moonwater Farm (https://www.moonwaterfarm.net)
Compton, CA

Shediah Palmer (she/her)
Reclamation FARMacy (https://www.reclamationfarmacy.org)
Raleigh, NC

Dulce  Porras (she/her)
Semilla de Vida (https://www.facebook.com/p/Semilla-de-Vida-Huer...)
Asheville, NC

Taylor Ryan (she/her)
Change Today, Change Tomorrow (https://www.change-today.org)
Louisville, KY

Alexandra Sosaa (she/her)
Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (https://www.flapillinois.org)
Chicago, IL

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About Vital Village Networks:
Vital Village Networks is a national initiative fostering partnerships to promote child, family, and community wellbeing. Through coalition building, participatory research, leadership development, data sharing ecosystems, and advocacy, the network amplifies community power to address structural inequities and build just systems of care.

For more information about Vital Village Networks, visit http://www.vitalvillage.org