Insights on Roadmap Development from Grant Kessler, Project Manager

Grant Kessler

Grant Kessler is a Chicago-based food photographer and passionate local food advocate. He is currently supporting Experimental Station as a Project Manager to organize and coordinate the creation of an Illinois Food System Roadmap. We interviewed him to learn more.

Why is the Illinois Food System Roadmap important?

GK: The Roadmap is important for three reasons. First, it creates a shared vision for a better local food system. We need to be working toward goals we all agree on. Second, the Roadmap prioritizes collaboration. We will work together toward our goals, and all will be welcomed and encouraged to participate. Lastly, there are so many health, environmental, economic, and equity impacts to be made through a cohesive local food system. Win. Win. Win!

What are some of the challenges and/or benefits you have come across working with 400+ partners across Illinois on the Food System Roadmap?

GK: The benefit of working with so many people throughout the state is precisely the fact that so many of them stepped up: they gave their time, energy, knowledge, and ideas [..] so that together, the people of the state can build a better local food system. That’s really inspiring.

I think the challenge will be maintaining that enthusiasm and willingness to participate over time. Systems change will be slow, ongoing work and we need to develop a strategy, a process that keeps it all moving forward and keeps people excited to participate.

What is something unexpected you have learned, so far, from the listening sessions organized for the Illinois Food System Roadmap?

GK: It’s been fascinating to learn how much the people in our state’s food system really want better connectivity. They want tools that will help them know what is going on [in our food system] and who is doing what. [This awareness] will help them to connect and collaborate. Change is going to continue to happen within our food system and it’s going to be driven by the eaters, farmers, producers, funders, policy makers, and advocates within it…because they are pushing for ways to collaborate and connect! That is powerful.