GrowNYC is excited to announce the selection of Angela Davis as its new Director of Retail Food Access and Agriculture. Angela replaces Michael Hurwitz, who is leaving GrowNYC after nearly 15 years of distinguished service to Greenmarket’s farmers and customers.
Davis is a nonprofit and public-sector leader with more than 14 years of experience managing programs and initiatives that increase food security, expand equitable access to healthy food, and support a more sustainable local food system. She will begin with GrowNYC this month.
"We are thrilled to be able to bring this highly talented and seasoned executive into GrowNYC to oversee our Greenmarkets and their related food access programs,” said Robert Kafin, Chair of GrowNYC’s Board of Directors.
Since 2017, Davis served as the Director of the Division of Food & Nutrition at the Jersey City Department of Health & Human Services (JCHHS). She oversaw healthy food access initiatives and federal nutrition programs, including Meals on Wheels, the Congregate Senior Lunch Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. In this role, Davis also managed Jersey City's relationship with its independently run farmers markets and the neighborhood nonprofit organizations participating in the Adopt-a-Lot community gardening program. Prior to working at JCHHS, she spent almost a decade overseeing food and nutrition education programs for Just Food, a New York City food justice nonprofit.
“Angela’s wealth of relevant experience and skills will help sustain our commitment to providing a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for New Yorkers, as well as support for local farms, farmers, and sustainable agriculture,” said GrowNYC President and CEO Marcel Van Ooyen.
“I am honored to become the new Director of Retail Food Access and Agriculture as GrowNYC celebrates Greenmarket's 45th year of service to New York City residents and local farmers said, Davis. "I look forward to working with GrowNYC staff, board, farmers, and community stakeholders to ensure equitable access to the freshest, healthiest food while strengthening regional farm viability."
Over her 27-year career, Davis has served a variety of institutions, including SEIU Local 32BJ, the National Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and the Children's Defense Fund. Davis has a Master of Education degree from George Washington University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College, and a certificate in Culinary Nutrition from the Natural Gourmet Institute. She is a 2009 Environmental Leadership Program Fellow. GrowNYC is thrilled to have her on the team.