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Welcome to the New York City Nutrition Education Network,
often referred to as NYCNEN! We are dedicated to educating and supporting a network of members who seek to improve the food and nutrition environment for a healthier NYC. Our membership driven Network is comprised of people from organizations dedicated to food and nutrition issues. NYCNEN has always been an open, flexible structure for people to get together, learn about one another’s work and network. Members are what NYCNEN is about - they make things happen! Every four to six weeks, members have the opportunity to network, improve their professional skills, learn what is happening around town, and participate in the working committees that are responsible for the structure of the Network. NYCNEN wants to extend their thoughts and support to our community during this evolving time of COVID-19. We hope that you have formed connections through our meetings and are able to call on your colleagues and peers for support and friendship during these difficult times. If you are wanting to connect with us, we would be happy to hold space for discussions on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Visit our Calendar of Events to see what’s happening! |
Dear NYCNEN community,
September usually marks the start of a new year for NYCNEN, one which we would usually kick off with a networking event. At this event, as the newly elected chair, I would have welcomed you to the new year and laid out the vision for the upcoming year.
This year, however, has proved to have a lot of unusual events and many things are not like they have been in the past. In some instances, not returning to "normal" has been a good thing. Sometimes "normal" has meant that some voices have been silenced, the rights of some groups have been abused and that power has been hoarded by some instead of being equally distributed. In these instances the interruption of "normal" might have meant that there are no distractions to cover up these insidious acts. With fewer distractions, we might be forced to contend with these evils and hopefully be activated to advocate for authentic and sustainable change.
In other instances, "normal" has meant being able to have unguarded gatherings with friends and family, a regular routine with work outside of the home and more certainty in our days. The NYCNEN SEC and I share in your longing for those happier times. We would like to pass on our condolences for those who have suffered any losses in the past six months. We grieve with you and your loved ones.
For those who have been at the forefront of the pandemic and Black Lives Matter revolution, we thank you for your work and sacrifice. We especially offer our gratitude to those whose work goes unnoticed and uncompensated - we see you and we THANK YOU!
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to an unusual new year. One in which we hope to go beyond the expectations we may have timidly set for ourselves in the past. We promise to elevate the voices that have been ignored or silenced as well as push back ideas and policies that have prevented the realization of a diverse and just food and nutrition field.
I would like to invite you to not only take this introspective journey with us as we seek to identify how we have contributed to racial inequity, but to also be empowered to call us out and challenge us to do better!
We cannot do this without you.
Tutu Badaru on behalf of the NYCNEN Steering and Envisioning Committee
September usually marks the start of a new year for NYCNEN, one which we would usually kick off with a networking event. At this event, as the newly elected chair, I would have welcomed you to the new year and laid out the vision for the upcoming year.
This year, however, has proved to have a lot of unusual events and many things are not like they have been in the past. In some instances, not returning to "normal" has been a good thing. Sometimes "normal" has meant that some voices have been silenced, the rights of some groups have been abused and that power has been hoarded by some instead of being equally distributed. In these instances the interruption of "normal" might have meant that there are no distractions to cover up these insidious acts. With fewer distractions, we might be forced to contend with these evils and hopefully be activated to advocate for authentic and sustainable change.
In other instances, "normal" has meant being able to have unguarded gatherings with friends and family, a regular routine with work outside of the home and more certainty in our days. The NYCNEN SEC and I share in your longing for those happier times. We would like to pass on our condolences for those who have suffered any losses in the past six months. We grieve with you and your loved ones.
For those who have been at the forefront of the pandemic and Black Lives Matter revolution, we thank you for your work and sacrifice. We especially offer our gratitude to those whose work goes unnoticed and uncompensated - we see you and we THANK YOU!
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to an unusual new year. One in which we hope to go beyond the expectations we may have timidly set for ourselves in the past. We promise to elevate the voices that have been ignored or silenced as well as push back ideas and policies that have prevented the realization of a diverse and just food and nutrition field.
I would like to invite you to not only take this introspective journey with us as we seek to identify how we have contributed to racial inequity, but to also be empowered to call us out and challenge us to do better!
We cannot do this without you.
Tutu Badaru on behalf of the NYCNEN Steering and Envisioning Committee
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