Alice Waters is a chef, author, educator, food activist, and founder of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, where for 55 years she has transformed how we think about food. Guided by her belief in the education of the senses, she has inspired generations to reconnect with local organic farmers, seasonal ingredients, and the shared table. In 1995, she founded the Edible Schoolyard Project at Berkeley’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, where students learn by doing, using the garden and kitchen classrooms to teach academic subjects. The project has inspired more than 6,000 schools around the world. Today, Alice is dedicated to making School Supported Agriculture a reality, believing every child deserves a free, delicious lunch made with food from local, regenerative farms. She sees public schools as our nation’s most powerful institution for transforming agriculture, education, health, and the future of the planet ~ sparking a delicious revolution.

Emily Parker is Executive Director of the Butterfly Equity Foundation, a foundation that is committed to supporting food equity in Los Angeles County. Emily previously worked in grants management and operations at Fundamental and was the Director of Development for Food Forward. She serves as the Treasurer of the Board for Safe Place for Youth, is on the Membership Committee for Sustainable Agriculture & Food System Funders, leads the LA Food Funders, and is a former member of the LA County Food Equity Roundtable and Food as Medicine Taskforce.

Weiser Family Farms began in 1977, but it wasn’t until 1982 that Alex Weiser began to assist his family in selling at local Farmers’ Markets. He encountered chefs, the public, and specialty produce buyers who wanted seasonal, high-quality, and superior-tasting produce. Alex began to focus on creating a bio-diverse farm using sustainable farming techniques to supply unique fruits and vegetables at their peak. Today, Weiser Family Farms cultivates high-quality produce year-round.

Photo Credit: Amy Smyth

Greg Garcia is a television writer, producer and director best known for creating the hit comedies My Name Is Earl and Raising Hope, along with The Guest Book and Sprung. In the last year, Greg has taken up stand-up comedy as a hobby, performing at clubs, theaters and arenas opening for comedians including Nate Bargatze and Ray Romano.