The Future of Our Food 
and Farms Summit

2002 Innovation, Achievement Awards to Michael Hamm, Lorraine Matthews

Our Future 
Grows Here

A regional summit to promote agriculture, learn about trends in food distribution & and find ways to reduce hunger.
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2002 Mid-Atlantic Innovation and Leadership Award Presented to Michael Hamm

This award honors the innovation and leadership of Michael Hamm, the current dean of Academic and Student Programs at Cook College, Rutgers University and the C. S. Mott Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University, effective January 1, 2003. Through his hard work, and long-standing commitment to his community, he has significantly improved the food and farming system in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Dr. Hamm has a long history of exemplary work in the field of sustainable food systems and agriculture. He is co-founder and director of the New Jersey Urban Ecology Program, an effort that brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to address sustainable food systems in New Jersey. This program includes the Youth Farmstand Project, which works with communities throughout New Jersey. This project trains urban youth to sell "Jersey Fresh" produce at farmstands in their communities. The Youth Farmstand Project currently works in 10 communities throughout New Jersey. The Urban Ecology Program also includes the Farm to School Project, which works to improve the connection between locally grown food and the school lunch program, especially in south Jersey. 

Dr. Hamm has also been facilitator for the New Jersey Cooperative Gleaning Network since 1998, was co-director of the New Jersey Food Stamp Nutrition Education Network from 1996 to 2000, and the founding director of the Cook Student Organic Farm, a three-acre vegetable farm that operates as a CSA.

2002 Recipient of the Future of Our Food and Farms Career Achievement Award Lorraine Matthews

This award recognizes Lorraine Matthews' tireless work for over 30 years as a nutritionist for the city of Philadelphia, her advocacy for better healthcare, and her enthusiasm for the value of education in the communities she served. Through her exemplary work, she has made an enduring contribution to the food system in the Mid-Atlantic region and helped to increase food availability to those most in need.

Lorraine Matthews has been employed by the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) in progressively responsible positions for over 32 years. Currently, Ms. Matthews manages several grants and a diverse team of community health educators including, lactation consultants, a social worker, and nutrition professionals. She also provides consultation services to the City's juvenile detention centers, recreation department, procurement department, and other units within the PDPH. Ms. Matthews holds adjunct faculty status at Drexel University and Immaculata University, and has taught at other area colleges and universities. She has served on numerous research and educational committees, and is active in various community-based organizations, in particular, hunger advocacy programs and a community-housing program. She is active in the American Dietetic Association and in October 2002, received the Medallion Award from ADA. She is a past president of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Dietetic Associations. She is currently President-Elect of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Society for Nutrition Education. 

Lorraine lectures widely on a variety of topics and has authored over 40 articles on health care, legislative issues, health promotion and participative education. She received her BS degree in Food Science from Iowa State University, her MS degree in Nutrition Science from Drexel University, and completed a dietetic traineeship at Philadelphia General Hospital.
 


Future of Our Food and Farms Summit

For more information, contact:

Meredith Stone
215-568-0830 • Ext.10
contact@thefoodtrust.org

www.foodfarm.org