Community leaders will share their expertise the evening of October 16 in downtown Chicago, hosted by nonprofit Delta Institute
CHICAGO, IL — On Thursday, October 16, 2025, experts will gather to share their insights on how Midwestern communities can work toward solutions that improve local food systems and economies.
Food plays a vital role in our lives—and it is also one of the most consequential factors in the fight against climate change. In the United States, the agriculture sector contributes about 11% of the country’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, about 30-40% of all food that’s produced in the US ultimately ends up as food waste.
“For over 25 years, Delta Institute has been working on a broad range of projects that help us move toward a vision of a Midwest region with a more sustainable and equitable food system for all,” shares Bill Schleizer, CEO of Delta Institute. “This panel will help us unpack some of the complex challenges—from farmers implementing soil health management systems to communities addressing food waste to families facing food insecurity—that stand in the way of that vision.”
Meet the Panelists
Panelist Rodger Cooley is the Executive Director of the Chicago Food Policy Action Council. He has worked for 24+ years in urban agriculture and sustainable equitable food systems helping facilitate policy, projects, and network development. Rodger previously spent nine years with Heifer International, supporting the development of urban and rural farming projects in Chicago and the Midwestern United States. He serves on the Cook County Commission for Social Innovation, the Chicago Food Equity Council, the Illinois Local Food Purchasing Agreement Advisory Committee, the Illinois Agriculture Equity Commission, and the Illinois Good Food Task Force, and the Organizational Council of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
Panelist Valentine Espinoza is a Soil Health Organizer with Advocates for Urban Agriculture. She is passionate about documenting her community and social movements. She has spent the last ten years working across the country and in Southern Mexico with Prairie Dust Films and The Waters Connect Us documenting and advocating for land and water conservation, sustainability, and food sovereignty. Her most recent work has been grounded in community-based soil science. She is also the founder of Chicago Safe Soils Collective, which is an ongoing community education project that was created in 2020 to provide soil education workshops and regenerative practices in BIPOC communities.
Event moderator Mike Harrington, LEED GA, is the Director for Sustainability Engagement at The Tishman Environment and Design Center at The New School, where he is also researching as a doctoral candidate. Mike previously worked at Elevate Energy, organizing around creating equity in the energy efficiency market. He has also helped manage an organic food bank garden for people with compromised immune systems and has served on the associate board of the Green City Market, Chicago’s largest farmer’s market. He is a long-term supporter of Delta Institute, having served as one of the founding co-chairs of the Delta Emerging Leaders associate board; he now serves as the Secretary of Delta Institute’s governing board of directors.
Panelist Jennifer Stewart is the Lead Programs & Partnerships Steward for Grow Greater Englewood, a Chicago-based social enterprise focused on sustainable development. In her role, Jennifer works with community residents and stakeholders to empower the neighborhood through local food economies, green businesses, and land sovereignty. She oversees programs and partnerships that align with Grow Greater Englewood’s vision of creating a healthy and resilient food system and economy.
“The DELs chose this year’s Green Soapbox topic because food systems are at the heart of so many pressing challenges, from climate resilience and environmental stewardship to public health and economic justice,” shares Jess Chen, Co-Chair of the Delta Emerging Leaders. “How we grow, distribute, and access food shapes the wellbeing of our communities, and we’re thrilled to spotlight a panel of leaders who are scaling sustainable food system models across the Midwest.”
Join us for an evening of insight, inspiration, and action. Reserve your spot today:
- Registration: https://delta-institute.org/event/green-soapbox-fall-2025/
- Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
- Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm Central
- Venue: Edelman Chicago, 111 N. Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606
- Accessibility: More details about accessibility accommodations are available on the event landing page
- Tickets: $20-80 contribution to nonprofit Delta Institute, which includes the cost of refreshments offered at the event. All event proceeds support the work of Delta Institute.
Delta Institute’s mission is to collaborate with communities across the Midwest to solve complex environmental challenges. It is a 501c3 nonprofit with a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and has a Four Star “Give with Confidence” rating from Charity Navigator.