Join us for a discussion with Vanessa Garcia Polanco and Leah Douglas to explore the implications of the current COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing on the food system in the U.S. It will focus on how this dynamic translates for the most vulnerable folks in the food system, including migrant workers and informal food service workers. Comments and questions from viewers throughout the session are welcome.

Vanessa Garcia Polanco is a scholar-activist passionate about advocating for minorities, immigrants, and refugees in food, agriculture, the environment, and natural resources. She is a graduate student at Michigan State University Department of Community Sustainability focusing on Community Agriculture and Food Systems. She serves in The Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society Board . Vanessa is a 2020 Michigan Junior Food System Leader of the Year and 2019 James Beard Foundation Scholar. Find her on Twitter as @vgpvisions.

Leah Douglas is a staff writer and associate editor at the Food and Environment Reporting Network, an independent, nonprofit newsroom that publishes investigative and explanatory reporting on food, agriculture, and environmental health. Leah's focus is corporate power and big business in the food and agriculture sectors. Her reporting has been published in the Guardian, the Nation, the Washington Post, Mother Jones, NPR, Time, Fortune, and other outlets.

The discussion will be moderated by Food Studies Professor Alyshia Galvez. Link to participate will be shared upon registration.