🎧 The Kitchen Connection with Earlene Cruz
Every meal we eat is an opportunity to make a positive contribution to our food systems. Let's make conscious choices that support a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
In this Foodie Pharmacology podcast episode, Earlene Cruz, founder and executive director of Kitchen Connection Alliance (KCA), explores her role in revolutionizing the global food system. She outlines KCA's mission to educate on sustainable food practices and discusses her work as a Youth Representative and Steering Committee Member at the United Nations, focusing on youth engagement in combating food insecurity and climate change. The episode delves into how these issues intertwine with the global food system and presents specific strategies and projects for positive change. For more information, visit https://www.kitchenconnection.org/ or follow Earlene on Instagram at kitchenconnection.
Access the interview highlights of this Foodie Pharmacology episode at the bottom of this post. This special feature is available to paid subscribers of the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter.
About Earlene
Earlene Cruz is the founder and executive director of Kitchen Connection Alliance (KCA), an organization devoted to educating global citizens on the promotion and development of a better food system. She is also a Youth Representative and Steering Committee Member to the United Nations Department of Public Information, an adjunct professor at the NYU School of Global Public Health, and serves on the board of several educational and nonprofit organizations. Earlene has been engaged in public debate on issues like food insecurity and climate change and is focused on transforming the global food system through education.
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Watch the video
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Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Here are the interview highlights, available to Nature’s Pharmacy paid subscribers:
The Path to Transforming the Global Food System
Earlene Cruz embarked on her journey to create Kitchen Connection Alliance after a life-changing experience in Ghana. Stranded without her wallet, she was taken in by a local family who shared their food and culture with her. This experience ignited a desire to unite people from diverse backgrounds through the shared experience of cooking and eating together. By harnessing the power of technology, Kitchen Connection Alliance offers virtual cooking classes and fosters connections that transcend geographical boundaries.
The Role of Kitchen Connection Alliance
Kitchen Connection Alliance initially started with virtual cooking classes, but its scope has expanded to engage with critical global issues such as climate change, food insecurity, and economic instability. By incorporating these topics into their activities, Kitchen Connection Alliance aims to facilitate conversations and promote awareness about the challenges facing our food systems. It serves as a platform for individuals to come together, learn, and actively contribute to shaping a more sustainable future.
Youth Representation and the United Nations
Earlene's dedication to transforming the global food system extends beyond Kitchen Connection Alliance. As a youth representative and steering committee member of the United Nations Department of Global Communications, she actively contributes to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Earlene emphasizes the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness between food security, climate change, and other sustainability issues. She highlights the role of education, collaborative efforts, and advocating for policy changes to address these challenges head-on.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Earlene explains that the SDGs were developed to create a more sustainable future, with input from people all across the world. The 17 goals encompass a wide range of issues, including health, hunger, biodiversity, and climate change. By addressing these interconnected issues, the SDGs strive to make the world a better place for both people and the planet.
Food Security in a Changing World
With the global population continuing to grow, ensuring food security for all is a pressing challenge. Earlene acknowledges the complexity of this issue, with factors such as climate change, conflicts, and economic instability contributing to food insecurity. She emphasizes the need for innovative solutions and individual actions to combat these challenges. Earlene also highlights the significance of education and raising awareness about the importance of food choices and their impact on both planetary and human health.
Conclusion
Earlene Cruz's work with Kitchen Connection Alliance and her involvement in various organizations exemplify the power of individuals to effect change in the global food system. Through her commitment to education, connection, and sustainable practices, Earlene inspires us all to take action towards a better future. By recognizing the interplay between food security and climate change, we can play a role in shaping a more equitable and sustainable world.