Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) has been chosen as one of six recipients this year for the 7th annual James Beard Foundation Leadership Award for her support of national policies that promote healthy food, local and regional food systems, and organic agriculture.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this year’s James Beard Leadership Award. As a longtime organic farmer and passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, I’m grateful to have had the unique opportunity to use my life experiences to help shape food and agriculture policy in Congress,” Pingree said. “This award is symbolic of all we’ve accomplished, but there is still much to do to improve our nation’s food system for every American to have access to healthy, sustainable food no matter their zip code and to support the farmers and fishermen who drive our food economy.”
“I couldn’t do this work without the input and example of many Mainers who have taught me so much along the way—and who are leading innovative efforts to strengthen our state’s food system,” she continued. “I share this award with so many.”
The award recognizes visionaries across a broad range of backgrounds who influence how, why, and what we eat. Recipients are chosen by previous honorees, which include former First Lady Michelle Obama, Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan, and Eliot Coleman.
“Our Foundation is honored to recognize this year’s six honorees,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “The 2017 Leadership Award recipients are pioneers in their areas of work, including reducing food waste, environmental protection, local and national advocacy, and workplace safety. Their passion and vision are helping to make our food world healthier, safer, and more sustainable.”
This year’s other honorees are:
- Dan Barber, Chef and Author
- Olivier De Schutter, Co-chair, International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems and Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food
- Joan Dye Gussow, Professor, Author, Food Policy Expert and Environmentalist
- Joann Lo and Jose Oliva, Co-Directors, Food Chain Workers Alliance
The recipients will be honored at the James Beard Foundation Food Summit in October.
Pingree is a longtime organic farmer who has made food system reform a priority in Congress. The last reauthorization of the Farm Bill contained numerous provisions she introduced to increase investments for local farmers and broaden access to healthy, sustainable food. She has also emerged as a leader on the issue of food waste and is working to introduce more reforms for the upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill.
Link to James Beard Foundation’s Official Announcement
