The Meaning of Food
Around dinner tables and in community gatherings, food connects us to our culture, our memories, our sense of identity. These stories shape who we are—and they can shape our understanding of hunger and food justice.
Through the Meaning of Food, we invite Washingtonians to explore twelve themes, from ‘Food Is Justice’ to ‘Food Is Joy.’ Each theme brings new stories to share, new perspectives to consider, and new ways to connect.
Join the conversation by responding to our video prompts below. Together, we’re weaving a deeper understanding of food’s role in creating a more equitable future.
JOIN US: SHARE YOUR STORY
“By sharing these stories, we illuminate the truth that ending hunger requires more than food.”
– Leilani Williams, Chief Equity & People Officer, Northwest Harvest
From justice to love, from power to pride—each theme explores a different facet of food’s meaning in our lives. Choose below to discover a theme and share your response through our video platform. Your unique perspective enriches our collective understanding and may be shared on our digital channels.
Whether you’re interested in learning more about a theme, meeting our featured #ArtistsForFoodJustice participants, or finding your own way to join the Meaning of Food conversation, there’s a place for you at the table.
Meet the Artists
Share Your Story
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Anna Nepomuceno (she/her) is the Director of Public Policy at Northwest Harvest. She leads the organization’s advocacy strategy to advance local, state, and federal laws that strengthen food security and uphold food as a basic human right. Anna analyzes public policy through an equity lens and helps shape and draft legislation that centers the needs of communities most affected by hunger. She builds and sustains relationships with lawmakers, state agencies, and nonprofit partners, championing grassroots engagement and uplifting BIPOC and other marginalized voices to ensure public policy is informed by lived experience and community power.
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.
