Meet the Team: Emily Hennessee

 

Emily The Georgia Acre Collective

 

Emily has over 10 years of nonprofit experience working at the intersection of food systems, climate, and public health. Her background in policy, strategy, and program implementation makes her a perfect fit here at The Common Market, where she works toward building a healthy, climate-friendly, equitable food system for all.

Emily oversees the Georgia ACRE Collective, which develops programs and strategies to build demand for values-based food procurement in Atlanta area institutions and acts as a liaison between participating institutions and local farmers. (Just yesterday she was kicking off ACRE’s first major partnership with Marietta City Schools!) Keep reading to learn more about Emily!

Fun Fact: In 2017, Emily was named one of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits’ 30 under 30. She previously served on the boards of Slow Food Atlanta and Generation Green of the Georgia Conservancy.

  • Tell us a little bit about your background.

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Emory University and a Master’s of Public Health with a focus on food systems and advocacy from Johns Hopkins University. Then I went on to work for nonprofits like Emory University’s Office of Sustainability Initiatives, Georgia Organics, and The Good Food Institute before landing here as the Program Manager for the Georgia ACRE Collective.

  • How/why did you get involved with the Common Market?

I believe institutional food procurement is a key component of our food system that’s often overlooked but has endless potential to support farmers — while also ensuring the most vulnerable members of our communities have access to good food.

  • What excites you most about local food systems?

Local food systems create a bridge across the rural-urban divide that exists in many states.

  • What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Gardening in my neighborhood’s community garden, learning about native plants, and experimenting in the kitchen.

  • Favorite veggie or fruit?

A good peach in the summertime — and in the cooler months, I love sweet potatoes.


Connect with Emily: Shoot her a note today!


We’ll introduce more of our incredibly knowledgeable staff over the next few weeks as part of our “Meet the Team” series — so stay tuned!