Even wealthy cities have people who can’t get healthy meals. George Reistad cooks up smart local food policy.
Even wealthy cities have people who can’t get healthy meals.
It’s mind-bogglingly difficult to budge the ginormous, two-headed problem of hunger and obesity. That’s why George Reistad has unleashed dozens of different food-related projects as food czar for the city of Madison, Wisconsin.
Reistad issues both municipal and foundation grants to organizations with smart ideas, like the school that wanted to build a salad bar or the medical clinic that has started giving low-income patients vouchers for the food co-op across the street. He’s also working with the Latino Chamber of Commerce and a small grocery store to set up a delivery program for people paying for food with government benefits — residents who often have a hard time getting across town to go shopping.
[pullquote share=”true” hashtag=”Grist50″]“You can’t care about the environment without caring about the human environment.” [/pullquote]
Reistad has been on the job for less than a year, and he’s excited about what’s to come. “It’s just great to see the work taking root in the community around me,” he says. His efforts could provide a model for breaking down our giant food problems, piece by piece.
The world feels pretty broken right now. That’s why we need Fixers — bold problem solvers working toward a planet that doesn’t burn and a future that doesn’t suck. For our annual list of emerging green leaders, Grist brings you 50 innovators with fresh, forward-thinking solutions to some of humanity's biggest challenges. Credits
Meet All The Fixers
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Donnel Baird
This Brooklynite retrofits cities.
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Nanette Barragán
This politician fights for polluted communities.
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Grist Member pick
Nicole Bassett
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John Bourne
This CEO provides clean energy for any budget.
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Rebecca Burgess
This innovator is stitching together a clothing movement.
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Van Jones' pick
Gilbert Campbell
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Karina Castillo
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Leilani Münter's pick
Chris Castro
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Marianne Cufone
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Carlos Curbelo
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Tom Colicchio's pick
Irving Fain
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Al Gore's pick
Catherine Flowers
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Rahwa Ghirmatzion
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Dallas Goldtooth
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Ben Hartman
This farmer champions efficiency.
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Davida Herzl
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David Hochschild
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Tara Houska
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Grist Member pick
Raj Karmani
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Justin Knopf
This young farmer is saving soil.
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L.A. Youth Groups
These teens sued for environmental justice.
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Mike Lewis
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Elena Lucas
This entrepreneur helps the solar industry compete.
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Mark Magaña
This advocate connects green Latinos.
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Cynthia Malone
This scientist brings social justice to her field.
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Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
This teenager gives the youngest generation a voice.
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Ahmina Maxey
This organizer fights for safer waste disposal.
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Gavin McCormick
This founder empowers people to choose renewables.
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Lauren McLean
This councilwoman keeps Boise booming.
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Sophia Mendelsohn
This airline exec is greening travel.
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Katherine Miller
This food advocate coaches up chefs.
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Yorman Nuñez
This Bronx community organizer is spreading the wealth.
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Kait Parker
This weather forecaster shames deniers.
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Hari Pulapaka
This chef takes a kitchen sink approach to food waste.
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George Reistad
This civil servant cooks up smart food policy.
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Erick Rodriguez
This architect designs better neighborhoods.
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Avital Shavit and Rubina Ghazarian
These transportation gurus coax Angelenos onto bikes.
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Nicky Sheats
This lawyer connects justice and the environment.
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Trisha Shrum and Jill Kubit
These mothers bring the future into the present.
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Varun Sivaram
This physicist is shaping energy policy.
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Liz Specht
This scientist connects investors to new food tech.
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Steph Speirs
This CEO plants community solar gardens.
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Erika Symmonds
This professional trains people for solar jobs.
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Cameron Russell's pick
Camila Thorndike and Page Atcheson
These activists want carbon polluters to pay.
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Anthony Torres
This organizer is uniting millennials.
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Ritchie Torres
This New Yorker champions affordable housing.
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Uma Valeti
This entrepreneur is making a better burger.
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Sean A. Watkins
This storyteller puts people first.
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Evan Weber
This young climate activist is demanding more.
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Jackie Weidman
This strategist trains clean energy leaders.