Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) are central to our mission as a leading national nonprofit that is focused on building a country in which all people have access to the nutritious food they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
Statement from FRAC President, Luis Guardia
Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are central to our mission as a leading national nonprofit working to improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. As the organization’s first Latino leader, I will continue to actively work with our dedicated staff to strengthen our commitment to REDI – building on our 50+ years of work addressing equity and social justice, which are inextricably linked to solving hunger and poverty.
The unprecedented challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic have shone a spotlight on the inequities that have existed for far too long in this country. Black, Latinx, and Native American households have experienced higher rates of food insecurity than their White counterparts, just as LGBTQIA+ households have experienced higher rates of food insecurity than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. This is a reflection of how these historically marginalized communities continue to be left behind.
If we are to better address these injustices, we must take on the responsibility to listen, learn, and grow individually, as an organization, and as a national community so that we may be in a stronger position to educate and advocate for equitable policies and build partnerships to end hunger.
-Luis Guardia, FRAC President
REDI Commitment
To achieve our mission, we must advance equitable and effective policies that provide individuals in low-income communities with sufficient resources to fully meet their nutritional needs. We must also ensure that each member of our staff has the opportunity to build their REDI knowledge and capacity, thrive in our organization, and contribute to the organization’s culture and mission.
In order to do so, we commit to:
- Understanding and addressing issues surrounding equity, which is critical to fully realizing our mission;
- Building awareness about and eradicating racial discrimination and prejudice within the organization as well as advocating against it within our network and community;
- Elevating ongoing dialogue pertaining to racial diversity, equity, and inclusion across our community, network, and partnerships;
- Creating a community that embraces and celebrates diversity;
- Fostering a welcoming and inclusive staff culture where individuals feel valued, supported, and have a sense of belonging;
- Expanding our organization’s capacity to institutionalize racial diversity and equity; and inclusion in all aspects of our work and interactions; and
- Assessing our racial diversity, equity, and inclusion progress consistently and continuously.
The Impact of REDI on FRAC’s External Work
External work is required to advance equity. We are working with our network of anti-hunger advocates across the country to engage those with lived expertise in hunger and poverty to amplify their voices, to help ensure they are heard and reflected in programs and policies. Achieving racial equity, diversity, and inclusion is an ongoing journey that requires constant reflection, assessment, learning, action, and alignment. This is a commitment we hold for ourselves and staff members who are contributing in meaningful ways towards our shared mission and culture.
What REDI Looks Like at FRAC?
The Food Research & Action Center is purposely embedding REDI into all aspects of our work, from each unit’s operational plans, to hiring, to our internal and external communications, as well as our policy framing. FRAC has incorporated strategies and efforts that have helped move the needle in our REDI journey. FRAC’s REDI strategy builds on our mission and values to include guidance for diversifying our teams, workplace inclusion, and equity. FRAC has a 12 member REDI committee that stewards this work across the organization. Each staff member is encouraged to hold themselves and others accountable to supporting an organizational culture that fosters a safe and brave space for exchanging ideas and reaffirming our commitment to advancing equity and inclusion for years to come.
Culture Statement and The Employee Experience
Operating as one team, the FRAC staff represents courageous individuals across a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We improve the nutrition, health and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. We are real, honest, and authentic. We are transparent about our expertise and where we aim to grow our knowledge and impact. As a FRAC employee, you can expect a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; engaging in influential and meaningful work; respect; flexibility; and work balance.
The Greater Picture of REDI
Our intention is to continue deepening our collective knowledge as it pertains to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and find even more ways to ensure that REDI is institutionalized within FRAC, our work, and the broader impact.