Find a Mentor Who’s Younger Than You. They Know How to Fix the Food System. – Food Tank

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For most of my career, I sought out mentors who were older than me. They had expertise, experience etc, I figured – they knew what to do.

But in recent years I’ve been looking for mentors who are younger than me. They are the future, and they have clarity in their beliefs and passion in their advocacy, which I deeply respect. Generation Z, people born between 1997 and 2012, is the most diverse cohort in US history. They know our old patterns just don’t work anymore.

That’s why I felt so empowered after last weekend’s Niman Ranch Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration. We were able to celebrate more than 700 family farmers who understand our food system needs to change – and they are working with Niman Ranch to be better for the animals, better for the people and better for the environment.

We were able to hear so many great speakers, including ethnographer June Jo Lee and New York Times award-winning food writer Kim Severson. You can hear our full conversations here on the Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg podcast, which we hope you will subscribe to by clicking here.

Lee, who studies Gen Z culture, pointed out that young people want more connection – a more caring approach to a rapidly changing world and deteriorating climate – and food is at the heart of it all.

“They have a very creative and fluid approach to their identity and what they eat, so I think that’s changing all the time,” she told me at the Niman event. “They’re trying to engage with the larger system through their food choices and their discoveries.”

This search for connection also speaks to how Gen Z, as Severson put it, “leads in work, treats people like people and recognizes that happier people make better tasting food.” Gen Z consumers tend to care more about the person who grows their food than the words on the label, and they are more familiar with marketers’ gimmicks. “People really want to get their one thing from the small town and I think the mega grocery stores [are] going away, at least some of them,” Severson said.

Lee is also the founder of the children’s book company Readers to Eaters, which helps teach children about nutritional systems and nutritional literacy. She noted that Gen Z’s instant access to information speaks to how they value transparency and variety of experiences.

“They eat culture,” she said. “To discover, to travel and to share – food is often at the heart of learning.”

And one more thing, I’m sure you’ve all seen plenty of headlines about the big layoff or restaurant labor shortages, or commenters lamenting kids “just don’t want to work anymore” or asking too much money.

That’s the wrong way to look at it, Severson told us. Gen Z is more than willing to work in hospitality, even for a little less money, if they believe in what they do and are treated right. But they are not afraid to quit when companies discriminate against, harass or underpay their workers.

“People are willing to walk away in a way they weren’t before,” Severson said, “so make sure your brand is good and be nice to people, don’t exploit people and be.” no racist, sexist idiot, and then you have a successful business.”

I would like to thank the entire team at Niman Ranch for helping make this amazing event happen and for their dedication to raising animals that will be treated well throughout their lives. Allow pigs to perform their natural behaviors. raise them outside. Let them be pigs. I have great respect for Paul Willis, the founder of Niman, who is committed to ensuring animals are treated well because it’s good for the environment and our diet.

I hope you will watch the event on YouTube by clicking here. During our conversation, June Jo Lee spoke about the power of listening and learning from young people. That’s what I’m trying to do, and I hope you’ll join me. What are you hearing from Gen Z people in your own life? What gives you hope for the future of food? Share the stories with me at [email protected].

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