Page 20 - The Indian EYE 062626

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JUNE 26, 2026 | The Indian Eye 20

Mayor Mamdani Appoints

Siddhartha Sanchez as Executive Director

of Mayor’s Office of Food Policy

NEERAJ DHAR and more than 100 acres of public
land while advancing environmental
NEW YORK, NY
restoration, public access and com-
ayor Zohran Kwame Mam- munity engagement. A cornerstone
dani has announced the of that work was the community-led
Mappointment of Siddhar- Bronx River Foodway – the first ed-
tha Sanchez as the executive director ible food forest in a New York City,
of the Mayor’s Office of Food Pol- which demonstrates how public land
icy (MOFP). Sanchez brings more can be used to strengthen food sover-
than two decades of experience in eignty and community well-being.
nonprofit leadership, government Prior to that role, Sanchez served
philanthropy and community-based as Interim Executive Director of the
food systems work to advance the ad- Bronx Cooperative Development
ministration’s commitment to make Initiative, where he advanced efforts
healthy, affordable food accessible to to leverage institutional procurement
every New Yorker. as a tool for community wealth-build-
“New Yorkers are struggling to ing and equitable food systems.
put healthy food on the table while As co-founder of KPS Strategies,
grocery prices continue to rise. Build- rector, Mayor’s Office of Food Poli- that access to fresh, affordable, cultur- a public interest consulting firm, San-
ing a city that people can afford means cy. “Food security is inseparable from ally relevant food is directly connected chez advised government agencies,
building a food system that works for racial and economic justice, and for to health, equity, and opportunity. We mission-driven businesses, philan-
everyone,” said Mayor Mamdani. too many New Yorkers — especially look forward to seeing how Sanchez thropic organizations and nonprof-
“Siddhartha Sanchez has spent his ca- in low-income communities of col- continues to advance bold, communi- its on food systems strategy, stake-
reer fighting for food justice, strength- or — access to healthy, affordable ty-centered solutions that strengthen holder engagement and cross-sector
ening community-led solutions and food remains out of reach. I am com- food systems across New York City.” collaboration. Earlier in his career,
expanding access to healthy food. mitted to the Mamdani Administra- Siddhartha Sanchez is a life- he served as Senior Advisor to U.S.
Food access is an economic justice is- tion’s vision of a city where every resi- long advocate for food justice whose Representative José Serrano, helping
sue and I am proud to welcome him to dent can thrive, and I look forward to work centers racial, environmen- secure federal funding for food ac-
this administration, as we work to en- building on the tremendous founda- tal and economic justice for more than cess and infrastructure projects, and
sure that every New Yorker has access tion MOFP has laid. Because of their 20 years. He has dedicated his career managed a philanthropic portfolio
to food as a basic human right.” work, we understand these challenges to serving low-income communities of supporting organizations focused on
“Food insecurity is among the more clearly than ever before. I’m ea- color across New York City, develop- food access, affordable housing and
most pressing issues facing our city, ger to work alongside our most im- ing deep expertise at the intersection community development.
and making high-quality, nutritious pacted communities to continue turn- of food systems, economic develop- Born and raised in Washington
food affordable and accessible to New ing MOFP’s legacy into real solutions. ment, climate justice and communi- Heights, Sanchez is a lifelong vegan,
Yorkers is a top priority of this ad- I’m excited to get started.” ty-driven policy. family chef and avid gardener. His
ministration,” said Deputy Mayor for The Mayor’s Office of Food Pol- Most recently, Sanchez served as parents migrated from the Dominican
Health and Human Services Dr. Hel- icy works across City government to Executive Director of the Bronx Riv- Republic. He holds a bachelor’s de-
en Arteaga. “It is important to have increase food security, expand access er Alliance, where he oversaw stew- gree in International Relations from
dedicated, experienced partners in to healthy food and build a more eq- ardship of a 23-mile urban watershed Brown University.
government, and Siddhartha Sanchez, uitable, sustainable and resilient
who has dedicated more than two de- food system. As Executive Director
cades to serving low-income commu- of MOFP, Sanchez will also serve as
nities of color in New York City, is just a member of the Mayor’s Grocery
the kind of leader we need to further Store Task Force.
our food policy agenda. I am thrilled “Red Hook Initiative (RHI) is
to announce his appointment as Exec- proud to celebrate Siddhartha San-
utive Director for MOFP, and I look chez’s appointment as Executive Di-
forward to working alongside him to rector of Food Policy,” said Michael
help struggling families put healthy, Partis, Executive Director of Red
affordable food back on their tables.” Hook Initiative (RHI). “Their lead-
“I am deeply grateful for the op- ership, deep commitment to food
portunity to serve the people of New justice, and understanding of how
York City — the city I grew up in and policy impacts communities like Red
have dedicated my career to,” said Hook make this a powerful and time-
Siddhartha Sanchez, Executive Di- ly choice. At RHI, we see every day

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