About Us|Media Hub
We welcome inquiries from the media and are happy to arrange interviews with Northwest Harvest staff and/or with representatives of our 350+ statewide partners.
Interested in learning about the impacts of Federal budget cuts on food banks, SNAP, and Medicaid? Visit our dedicated messaging resource >
Media interested in Northwest Harvest can contact:
Natasha Dworkin: Director of Communications natashad@northwestharvest.org 206.717.0765
General Media Requests: media@northwestharvest.org
Find Us on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from Northwest Harvest. Check out our recent press to see the impact we’re making and the stories we’re sharing.
Inside a community‑driven approach that turns rescued food into a reliable resource for people facing food insecurity, housing instability, and rising costs of living. Seattle, WA – As food insecurity rises across Washington, Northwest Harvest is seeing sustained, elevated demand across its statewide network of food bank partners. At the organization’s SODO Community Market, a powerful, … Continue reading FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: From Surplus to Sustenance – How Food Rescue Is Helping Fill Washington’s Growing Hunger Gap
Shutdown delays and new SNAP rules further strain Washington’s emergency food system. SEATTLE, Wash. — The federal government shutdown may have ended, but its impact on food assistance continues to ripple across Washington. Delays in November SNAP disbursements caused significant hardship for hundreds of thousands of people who rely on these benefits to buy groceries. Now, new restrictions enacted … Continue reading FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Washington’s Emergency Food System Mobilizes Amid SNAP Disruption and Record Demand
SEATTLE, WA — In response to sweeping federal budget cuts enacted through the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Northwest Harvest has released a comprehensive new resource outlining the projected impact on food security across Washington state. Federal Funding Cuts: Impact on Washington State Food Security includes key statistics, community testimonials, and messaging guidance for journalists, partners, … Continue reading FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Resource Details Impact of Federal Food Assistance Cuts on Washington Communities
[Non Stop Local – Yakima] Northwest Harvest, a nonprofit founded in 1967, has been making significant strides in combating food insecurity across Washington. The organization distributed over 20 million pounds of food in the 2024 fiscal year.
[Yakima Herald] For Annaleise Flowers, getting SNAP benefits has been a waiting game. Until recently, Flowers had been receiving $59 a month in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or food stamps, in Oklahoma.
With food insecurity rising across the state and thousands of Washington families recently facing uncertainty over access to federal nutrition assistance, Philanthropy Northwest is reactivating the WA Food Fund, a coordinated philanthropic effort to ensure food reaches communities most in need.
About Northwest Harvest– Boilerplate Language | 68 words/400 characters:
Northwest Harvest is a food justice organization striving to end hunger in Washington state. Part of a justice-centered movement, we advocate to change inequitable policies, practices, and institutions that perpetuate hunger and poverty. We partner with a network of over 350 organizations to operate an emergency food supply chain. Together, we ensure communities across our state can access the nutritious food they want and need to thrive.
About Northwest Harvest– Boilerplate Most Accessible Language | 54 words / 383 characters:
Northwest Harvest is a food justice organization operating statewide in Washington with a network of over 350 food and meal programs, schools, and community-based organizations. Focused on improving equity in our food system, Northwest Harvest believes everyone in Washington should have consistent access to nutritious foods that nourishes their body and affirms their culture.
About Northwest Harvest–Boilerplate Anti-Racism Language | 62 words / 451 characters:
Northwest Harvest is an anti-racist, anti-oppression organization committed to transforming an unjust food system into one that is more responsive and accountable to the communities most impacted by discrimination. In addition to distributing food throughout Washington state, Northwest Harvest aims to shift public opinion, as well as impact institutional policies and societal practices that perpetuate hunger, poverty, and disparities in our state.
About Northwest Harvest– Boilerplate Language With Programmatic Information | 116 words/550 characters:
Northwest Harvest is a food justice organization striving to end hunger in Washington state. We recognize that repairing the centuries-old systems of oppression that perpetuate hunger, and poverty is not something one organization can do on its own. We are part of a nationwide movement that advocates for equitable policies, distributed leadership, and a right to food for all people nationwide. We partner with a network of over 350 organizations to operate an emergency food supply chain in every county in Washington, and we run no-cost grocery markets in Seattle and Yakima, where people can shop with dignity. Through distribution, Northwest Harvest gets nutritious food to our partners and promotes more equitable systems along the way.
Meet Our Subject Matter Experts – Available for Interviews
*To request an interview with any of our subject matter experts, please complete the form above or email media@northwestharvest.org
Natasha Dworkin – Director of Communications | Strategic communications, narrative framing, media relations, public engagement.
Anna Nepomuceno – Public Policy Director | Federal and state nutrition policy, anti-hunger legislation, systems advocacy, budget cut impacts
Gary Newte – Director of Public Funded Partnerships | Government partnerships, public funding, emergency food infrastructure
Em Nitz-Ritter – Community Storytelling Strategist | Ethical storytelling, community voice, narrative justice, lived experience
Becca Phillips – Program R&D Manager | Program design, innovation, evaluation, community-centered solutions
Rubi Pimentel – Acting Procurement Team Lead | Equitable procurement, vendor relationships, culturally relevant food sourcing
Thomas Reynolds – Chief Executive Officer | Food justice, systems change, organizational leadership, equity in food access, current affairs impacting Washington food systems
Matt Ryan – Food Access Network Manager | Statewide partnerships, grassroots engagement, community-led hunger solutions
Duane Sharpley – Sodo Community Market Coordinator | Community food distribution, market operations, client-centered service delivery, urban food access
Jacob Sperati – Senior Manager of Community Markets | Community markets, fresh food access, equitable distribution models
Justin Vierela – Director of Community Philanthropy | Donor engagement and experience, community-centered fundraising, events, food equity investment
These photos are available for download and may be used with proper attribution. When sharing, please credit:
“Photo Credit: Northwest Harvest”
How to Download:
All images are copyright of Northwest Harvest and may not be altered or used for commercial purposes without permission.
Visit our Key Facts page for current food insecurity numbers for WA state, as well as national data to keep you informed.
KEY FACTS & STATISTICS
Visit our Federal Funding Cuts messaging guide for information about the impacts of cuts to SNAP, food banks, and Medicaid.
IMPACTS OF FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS
Natasha Dworkin (she/her) is the Director of Communications at Northwest Harvest. She leads statewide communications, storytelling, and public engagement efforts focused on building collective action toward a more just food system. Her work centers lived experience, data‑driven messaging, and values‑aligned narratives that move audiences beyond charity toward solidarity. Natasha oversees integrated campaigns, media strategy, and community engagement initiatives that elevate the impacts of public policy and federal funding on food access across Washington.
