LETTER TO THE FOOD PROJECT COMMUNITY FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PAT GRAY

Dear Friends,

I am writing you today to announce my resignation as the Executive Director of The Food Project (TFP) effective December 31, 2006. Working at TFP for fifteen years has been a privilege. I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity to be present at the birth of an idea and guide its growth and development to this stage, where it is now a national leader in its field.

We are most fortunate at this time to have Susan MacDougall serve as Interim Executive Director while the Board of Trustees conducts a search for the new executive director. Susan has an impressive track record of achievement in nonprofit management and youth development, having served as Managing Director at Squashbusters in Boston for seven years. This year Susan and I worked side-by-side with the youth, staff, and the Board of Trustees to create our new five year plan. I have complete confidence in her ability to keep TFP’s culture strong, its vision and mission front and center, and its programs high quality.

The Food Project has accomplished a lot in fifteen years. It has provided employment and training programs to 750 teens and has grown 1.5 million pounds of food for residents of the city and suburbs. The Food Project is the national model for engaging the next generation in food systems work. This is a strong record upon which to build.

I am especially proud of the community of youth and adults we foster. There is a terrific sense of energy, purpose and joy throughout. Our different backgrounds and perspectives enrich our conversations and our lives. One of my great pleasures is knowing that the youth are not the only ones who have grown and developed through The Food Project experience; we all have. I leave a better person for having been a part of this experience.

I extend heartfelt thanks to all the youth, staff, trustees, donors, volunteers, peers, partners and collaborators, friends and family who have made The Food Project the success it is today. We are all part of TFP’s story and we all can be proud of its accomplishments.

Thank you for your support, advice and friendship, and I hope that you will continue to support the terrific work we do with and for youth,

Pat Gray
Executive Director

LETTER TO THE FOOD PROJECT COMMUNITY FROM BOARD CHAIR KATE DEYST

Dear Friends:

After 15 years of living and breathing the mission of The Food Project, Pat Gray has announced that she intends to leave her position as Executive Director at the end of 2006. Pat has been a staff member of The Food Project since its founding in 1991 and its Executive Director since 1995. Eleven years later, both Pat and the organization are recognized nationally as leaders in helping people achieve personal change through growing healthy food and establishing local food systems. Together, Pat and The Food Project staff and board have recently completed an updated five-year strategic plan that will carry the organization forward. Pat is not retiring. She has decided to pursue new opportunities and we look forward to ongoing collaboration with her as she takes on these new projects.

The Food Project’s Board of Trustees has activated a search committee which is moving thoroughly and efficiently to find a new leader and will provide regular progress reports to our constituents. While we will miss Pat’s leadership and vision, we are confident in the future of The Food Project. The organization has a strong growing continuum of programs, and a strong team of senior staff and Board leadership in place. We look forward to bringing on a new leader who will build on this solid foundation and help us achieve our ambitious goals for the future.

Best wishes,

Katherine A. Deyst
Chair, Board of Trustees