Congratulations to St. Francis College (SFC) graduate Elizabeth Peralta-Foxwell ’15 on being named one of NYC Food Policy’s 40-Under-40. The Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center released its annual class of 40 individuals under 40 working to transform and improve the food system. The Class of 2022 honorees includes policymakers, educators, community advocates and innovators who are making significant advances to create healthier, more sustainable food environments and to use food to promote community and economic development.

Peralta-Foxwell credits her passion for serving her community to her mother. “Growing up, my mother always taught me to give back,” she said. “We didn’t have much, but she always made sure to take care of us and her community.” Since her mother’s passing in 2013, Peralta-Foxwell honors her memory by continuing her mother’s mission to help others with resources, love and community. “Losing my mother helped me to understand so much more about the SFC Franciscan spirit, and after being supported by so many in the SFC community,

I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to serving others.”

As she continues to make strides in food policy, Peralta-Foxwell hopes to help local economies tap into supply chains that will allow them to give high-quality goods at an affordable price to low-income communities. She also hopes to curate programming that supports communities and small businesses to thrive. “I hope to help create a better tomorrow for often forgotten communities,” she explained. “Creating federal programs will help people move out of the system rather than keeping them in it.”

When asked what advice she would pass on to incoming students, Peralta-Foxwell explained that when she decided to engage with campus organizations, professors and students, she opened a world of connections, resources and opportunities. “My best advice for any student looking to get the most out of SFC is to try anything that sparks your interest. The worst thing that can happen is you will not like it, but you can also meet people or find something that will change your life forever.”

Peralta-Foxwell is a co-founder of Feed Forward, a non-profit organization working to empower a healthy, sustainable and equitable food economy. She currently serves as the chair of the Food Education Fund Junior Board.