We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Queer Food Foundation. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Queer Food Foundation below.
Queer Food Foundation, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?
Most folks with power in the food industry do not believe that inclusion, sustainability, and equity are possible within our current environment. QFF is founded on the principle that not only is it possible, but it’s necessary. We focus on shining a light on the work and passion that Queer folks have been putting into all aspects of this industry from sommeliers, farmers, production workers, restaurant owners, chefs, etc.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
We are a collective of queer individuals who work at all intersections of the food system — from food justice, and culinary to community organizing, media, hospitality, and more. We all come from various intersections of our industry and our identities. One of us has worked in restaurants and BOH since they were 16, another is a business owner and professional chef, and others have worked in food activism. There is a need for dedicated spaces for queer and LGBTQAI+ communities to gather, build community, learn from one another and find resources. Queer folks have been a critical identity serving the food industry in the US, but there has been limited representation in the larger discussions about the food industry, especially within intersectional identities.
From farmworkers, sommeliers, and media experts to waitstaff, brewers, and gardeners, we hope to fill in that gap, to begin creating a platform for queer expression in food, to advocate for more inclusive food industry spaces, and to offer all queer food workers a space to build, meet, and speak about their experiences.
The Queer Food Foundation’s mission is to be a resource and platform for queer folks in food; and secondarily promote, protect, and fund queer food spaces. Utilizing our network of queer food workers and chefs, we work with organizations to host and curate informative, fun, and collaborative events.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
We’ve built this organization on the premise that everyone has a way to contribute to the conversation and hold each other accountable. Offer a space for folks to freely speak on opinions, use their own personal insight and collaborate on new ideas.
High morale starts with leadership. Are we putting ourselves in a position for our team to see us working positively? People feel subconsciously obligated to work long past their limits if they see other cohorts doing the same. Offer spaces for folks to create work/life boundaries, including leaders. Are we speaking with respect toward other leaders and team contributors? How are we finding ways to improve based on the insight given? We have an anonymous feedback channel on our Slack so that if we need accountability, people can express it honestly. We also make ourselves available if anyone needs one on one time to check-in.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The lesson QFF had to learn was pacing. When you start to get recognition and opportunities coming into something brand new, you want to say “yes” to everything. We had many months where we experienced burnout and unnecessary stress. A part of our core values is to be intentional with the work. Folks in our community are sharing their vulnerability with us so the least we can do is take care of it. Slowing down so that the projects are impactful to the needs of the community takes precedence. We started saying “no” when we were at max for our calendar. We dialed back on constant meetings and communication. This way we could really hone in on what is important.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.queerfoodfoundation.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queerfoodfoundation/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/queerfoodfoundation
Image Credits
Marissa Alper @marissaalper on IG. https://www.marissaalper.com/