Louisiana Food Fellows

The Louisiana Food Policy Council (LaFPC) is proud to carry forward the Louisiana Food Fellows program from Louisiana Central, building on its 10 year legacy of cultivating leadership for healthy, just, and resilient food systems. This transition strengthens our commitment to empowering community voices, especially in rural and BIPOC communities, and aligning leadership development with statewide food policy efforts.

About the program

The Louisiana Food Fellows program is a four-month, virtual leadership cohort designed to equip participants with practical skills, deep knowledge, and strong connections for advancing food systems change. We bring in nationally recognized speakers to help instill knowledge and confidence in participants. After the program, Food Fellows are invited to an alumni network that helps you stay connected to each other, the work, and the policies that shape our food system. During times such as these, having connected, trained and passionate advocates is more important than ever.

Program Snapshot

Details                                                                                                         

Four-month virtual cohort, from October through February with ~4 hours of class and some homework per month     

Who Can Apply: Emerging leaders in Louisiana food systems- rural and BIPOC community members are encouraged to apply.

Cost: Free to participate                                                                                             

Stipend: $750 provided to each Fellow after graduation                                                         

Topics Covered: Food systems, equity, organizing, policy, sovereignty, economics, leadership in action (see schedule below!)

Outcomes: Fellows leave confident, connected, and ready to lead — many continue into LaFPAC working groups or policy advocacy

Why This Matters
By bringing the Louisiana Food Fellows into LaFPAC, we are connecting emerging leaders directly to the heart of food policy advocacy in our state. Participants will not only gain knowledge and skills, but also a place in a collaborative movement shaping a healthier, more equitable Louisiana food system.

Timeline
Applications will be accepted online from September 2rd to September 22.
You will be notified of your status: accepted, waitlisted, or declined within a week of the application deadline.
You will be asked to affirm your acceptance within 1-2 days of the notification if you are offered a spot in the program.
Not replying will be taken as declining and your spot will be offered to the next candidate.

Program Dates

The Louisiana Food Fellows program consists of the following workshops and graduation ceremony. Each are 6PM - 8PM

  • October 19: Program Orientation 

  • October 23: What is a Food System  

  • November 13: Food System Equity & Justice 

  • December 4: Communications for Organizing & Leadership

  • December 18: Food Policy 

  • January 15: Introduction to Food Sovereignty  

  • January 29: Food System Economics 

  • February 5: Moving policy to action in Louisiana

  • February 19: Graduation with Keynote.

Applications open soon!

Get in Touch

Funding for Louisiana Food Fellows is through the USDA Sustainable Agriculture and Education Research Program.

Louisiana Food Fellows would not be possible without deep collaboration with the Louisiana Small Scale Agriculture Coalition.

Interested in learning more about our policy work in Louisiana? Reach out to Margee@Louisianafoodpolicy.org