KARI HAMERSCHALG

Kari Hamerschalg has been challenging, changing and improving our food system for more than fifteen years. She is currently the deputy director of the food and technology program, based in Berkeley, California. Kari carries out research and implements market and policy campaigns aimed at reforming animal agriculture, protecting pollinators and promoting sustainable, fair, healthy and resilient food and farming systems. Prior to Friends of the Earth, Kari worked for five years as a senior analyst with the Environmental Working Group where she focused on wide range of food and ag issues including the U.S. farm bill, GMOs, climate change, organic agriculture, food security and conservation policy. Kari has done extensive research on the links between food production and climate change and was the lead author of a comprehensive web-based Meateater’s Guide to Climate Change and Health, and numerous other blog posts, op-eds and reports. Prior to EWG, Kari worked for many years as a sustainable food policy and fair trade consultant. Kari began her career more than twenty years ago as an organizer, researcher and advocate for socially and environmentally sound development policy, focused in Latin America. Kari has a Masters from UC Berkeley in Latin American Studies and City and Regional Planning. She speaks Spanish, French and some Portuguese.