Why You Should Believe in the Power of Cooperatives

Each year, the JBF Leadership Awards honor five individuals or organizations responsible for creating a healthier, safer, and more equitable and sustainable food world. Our 2019 recipients touch on all sectors of the food system, from farming to manufacturing to college campuses and cafeterias. Despite their disparate titles and roles, what unites these visionaries is their passion for creating more equity, opportunity, and innovation in each step of the journey from field to plate.

2019 Leadership Award honoree Cornelius Blanding has committed himself to ensuring the land-retention and economic development of black-owned farms in the American South. As executive director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives / Land Assistance Fund, Blanding helps low-income African American and other limited resource communities across the South to advocate for themselves through the creation of business cooperatives. Learn more about his work in the video above.

See the full list of 2019 and past Leadership Award recipients and learn more about the Awards.