We were devastated to learn about the tragic death of Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan.
Supervisor Chan was the definition of a partner and a leader, and she will be remembered as a champion who wasn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and engage in the painstaking job of systems change. She worked tirelessly to weave together the relationships needed to make the fundamental changes needed to fix our food system and address poverty. Alameda County is a better place for her contributions.
Although Supervisor Chan’s impact on the community was broad and deep, we will especially remember her for delivering ALL IN Alameda County’s vision of eliminating poverty and then backing up that vision with a specific plan of action. She charged everyone in the system to work together to create conditions for residents to prosper. Supervisor Chan knew that the work of creating healthier, more livable communities requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. We were proud to collaborate with her to expand Dig Deep Farms, build the Dig Deep Farms Food Hub, grow healthy produce for Recipe4Health, expand economic opportunities for local food vendors through Alameda County’s Good Food Purchasing Policy, create a Local Circular Food Economy, and much more.
The work Supervisor Chan spearheaded is not done. It will live on as we at DSAL and ACSO carry on the collaborations to create jobs, expand opportunities, improve lives, and bend the system toward justice and equity for everyone.