Our Mission
To grow and support community-based good food systems that are healthy, fair, culturally appropriate and accessible to all, with an emphasis on building a resilient and sustainable local food system
Our Vision
Planting Seeds of Change for a Sustainable Tomorrow: Committed to planting the seeds of change by promoting a local food system that sustains our community, our economy, and our planet.
Overview
Just Food Network Incorporated (JFN) is a newly formed organization in Florida dedicated to growing and supporting community-based good food systems that are healthy, fair, culturally appropriate and accessible to all with an emphasis on building a resilient and sustainable local food system and addressing food security. JFN was formed as a community response to the global supply chain crisis that has been impacting food supply chains for decades but was laid bare by COVID, the War on Ukraine and increased negative climate impacts caused by global warming. Numerous community engagement efforts including listening sessions, focus groups and interviews with stakeholders across Northeast Florida indicated that the community is in dire need of a localized food system likely to help residents feed themselves regardless of what is happening on the local, national or global stage.
Today, at least 81% of Americans live in Metropolitan areas which means communities need to bring farming to cities in order to secure and sustain a sufficient and reliable fresh food supply source. This will be done by and through partnerships with other organizations, landowners, farmers, residents, and others to build a robust and sustainable local food system likely to promote food resiliency, food justice, economic viability and a thriving hub of local food production and consumption. At JFN, we believe that we can grow better communities by connecting people with regeneratively grown good food in well designed green spaces created using community-engaged placemaking principles.
Inception Board Members
Nathan Ballentine
Man in Overalls
Co-Founder
Laureen Husband
Feeding Northeast FL
Co-founder
Chef DeJuan Roy
Alhambra & Food Network Winning Executive Chef
Marlon Hubbard
Food Trucker Owner & Brand Management Professional
Russell Baker
Wingard Marketing + Communications
CEO and Brand Strategist
Initiatives and Programs Anchored by Just Food Network
Black Church Food Security Network
The Black Church Food Security Network’s (BCFSN) Jacksonville Chapter promotes local food security by activating church assets such as land for growing food and kitchens for preparing meals or value added products for their congregations and community members to promote food sovereignty and justice. BCFSN also works to support black growers and church farms by hosting targeted activities such as the annual “Christmas on the Farm” event which is held at various church or local farms . The chapter also assists local churches with their emergency financial needs such as their support for Love Missionary Baptist Church’s septic system updates and provides technical assistance to churches to help them overcome challenges related to first-year gardens. BCFSN Jacksonville also supports churches to host Black farmer’s markets or Soil to Sanctuary Markets by buying in bulk from Black farmers/growers using a flexible and adaptive approach to the supporting local food systems. To learn more, contact Stephen Husband – the local coordinator at stephen@blackchurchfsn.net.
AgJax
“AgJax” is a dynamic grassroots initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration and resource-sharing among local growers. Our mission is to strengthen the local agricultural community by creating a supportive network where farmers, gardeners, and food producers can connect, exchange ideas, and share resources. We believe in the power of collective action to address challenges like limited access to equipment, seeds, or knowledge. Through workshops, community work days, seed swaps, shared equipment programs, and online forums, we aim to empower local growers, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to a resilient local food system. By uniting the diverse talents and experiences of our community’s growers, “Rooted in Community” envisions a flourishing, interconnected agricultural network that supports both the land and those who cultivate it. To learn more, contact Clark Davis – the coordinator at AgJax@justfood.network.
Duval Food Policy Council
The Duval Food Policy Council (FPC) is a community group whose primary aim is to promote healthy and wholesome food while also working to strengthen and expand the regional farm and food economy. Formed in 2011, the FPC experienced a slowdown in 2016 but is now reinvigorating with both new and existing members. The group is focused on developing policies and initiatives to foster a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient local and regional food system. To learn more and get involved, contact Laureen Husband at LHusband@feedningnefl.org.