A Better Think Tank
Think and do
Our approach has two halves, and neither works without the other.
Think. We produce research — case studies, briefs, and reports — developed with communities rather than about them. People living inside a food system understand it in ways an outside researcher can’t, so our work starts with their analysis and adds rigor, history, and reach.
Do. Research that stays in a PDF changes nothing. So we turn what we learn into things people can use, and we help partnerships get built and funded. That means writing grant applications on behalf of a coalition, acting as fiscal sponsor for groups without their own nonprofit status, coordinating partners across institutions, handling reporting and measurement, and producing the toolkits that outlast the grant.
That loop is the whole method. What we learn from communities shapes what we publish; what we publish helps communities make their case; the partnerships we build produce the next round of learning.
Strategic Plan 2025 – 2028
Our strategic plan guides Food First’s evolution as a think-and-do tank, connecting research and shared knowledge with community-led action. These three priorities focus our efforts on amplifying grassroots leadership, making knowledge accessible, and working collectively to advance food sovereignty.
Amplify & Support Grassroots-Led Food Justice Work
Expand the visibility of BIPOC-led grassroots initiatives, share community-defined solutions, and connect their work with broader networks, resources, and support.
Preserve & Strengthen Our Knowledge Production Role
Build on Food First’s research and publishing legacy by producing accessible knowledge and making historical resources available to communities, advocates, researchers, and funders.
Strengthen Thought Leadership & Movement Relevance
Contribute research, analysis, and public dialogue that connect food justice movements, inform collective strategy, and advance action through convenings, communications, and partnerships.