Meet the panelists: Food Waste, Food Rescue, & the Future of our Planet
Food Waste, Food Rescue, & the Future of the Planet, presented by Lovin’ Spoonfuls, is a panel discussion focused on the environmental impacts of wasted food. Learn more about how the food we consume (or don’t) contributes to the climate emergency. Dive into the ways the climate emergency disproportionately impacts communities already hard-hit by other public health crises. Hear from advocates and leaders in food and environment. Get inspired to take action, and discover some ways to do it.
This fast-paced, one-hour event is fully virtual and free to attend. So, whether you’re brand new to the issues or want a refresher, we encourage you to join us, and bring your questions! If you can’t join online, you’re welcome to tune into audio only!
Don’t forget to register and read on to meet our panelists!
Christine Beling
Project Engineer, United States Environmental Protection Agency
Christine joined the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Region 1 (New England) in 1994. Previously, she served with the EPA’s Region 2, the EPA’s headquarters, the Department of Energy in Washinton D.C., and with a private consulting firm. Currently, Chris is the Team Leader for the Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) program and a member of the Land, Chemicals, and Redevelopment Division. She provides technical assistance and outreach on SMM priorities to New England businesses, institutions, and state and local governments. Currently, Chris manages over $2 million in grants for New England stakeholders in a variety of programs including Healthy Communities, Anaerobic Digestion Capacity Building, Pollution Prevention, and Brownfields. Chris holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University.
Maricela Escobar
Food Justice Organizer, GreenRoots
For the past five years, Maricela has been involved with the food system as a farmer and educator. However, her farming journey started in childhood as she grew up on a small subsistence farm with her grandparents. Since then, Maricela has farmed on many farms throughout Massachusetts. She’s passionate about connecting people to nutritious and local food, especially families with children. Having grown up in a farm environment, Maricela values not only producing food for people locally but offering farms as a space for communities to gather. Currently, Maricela is a Food Justice Organizer at GreenRoots. Her role there involves actively managing two growing spaces as well as supporting food assistance programs.
Adam Kahn
Secretary, Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ Board of Directors
Partner, Foley Hoag, LLP
Adam is a lead member of Foley Hoag’s Energy & Climate practice group. His practice includes climate change and greenhouse gas issues, environmental sustainability, and environmental corporate social responsibility. Adam is currently Secretary of Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ Board of Directors. Prior to becoming Partner, Adam was Co-Managing Partner of Foley Hoag and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee from 2009 to 2017. He also served as the coordinator of Foley Hoag’s environmental practice group and Chair of the firm’s Administrative Law Department. Adam is also the former Chair of the firm’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Before attending law school, Adam was an environmental scientist.
Paul Sellew
Founder & CEO, Little Leaf Farms
Paul Sellew is the Founder and CEO of Little Leaf Farms, the country’s fastest-growing packaged lettuce brand which is grown in a state-of-the-art, sustainable greenhouse in Devens, MA. Throughout his career, Paul has founded, managed, and grown successful companies in the food & agriculture, lawn & garden, renewable energy, and organics recycling industries, including Harvest Power organics and Backyard Farms tomatoes. Paul is a graduate of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Paul has served on Cornell’s University Council, CALS Dean’s Advisory Council, the Board of the U.S. Composting Council.