Outreach Coordinator Rachel Passman will join FPAC in July 2014 to help the Council reach low-income communities and engage community members around food policy in Philadelphia. Rachel graduated from Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts in May of 2014. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Spanish. She grew up in the metropolitan DC area with her parents and older sister. In 2011, Rachel moved to Philadelphia to begin her studies at Temple.

Rachel credits her interest in the environment and sustainability largely to her mom, who is an avid gardener and nature enthusiast.  Growing up, vacations to different national parks around the country opened Rachel’s eyes to the incredible variety of terrains and ecosystems. An internship at Urban Tree Connection introduced Rachel to the inner workings of urban agriculture in Philadelphia.  Personal projects throughout her college career included using satellite imagery to identify vacant lots for repurposing, an in-depth neighborhood study on littering in South Philadelphia, and a case study of urban greening practices in Philadelphia. In her final semester, a Food Studies course exposed many of the issues and injustices within food systems, and has solidified Rachel’s interest and desire to work with food systems to create a more equitable and healthy future for everyone.

Rachel is thrilled for this amazing opportunity to work in the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability on the Food Policy Advisory Council as an AmeriCorps VISTA. She is excited to be surrounded by people who are working to create a healthier and happier city and interact with the community through food policy, outreach, and advocacy.