Barbara leads a team of over 240 food service professionals in serving 27,500 students across 54 sites in a high needs district where 67% qualify for free and reduced meals. Barbara is a motivated, results-driven food service professional who most recently took on the challenges of the pandemic to test and bring organic products into the food service program. She has since continued to procure roughly 50% of food for the district from organic supplies, prioritizing CA fresh and minimally processed foods. Barbara has led her team in achieving equipment, training, and sourcing changes that are allowing them to increase the amount of fresh, organic, scratch-cooked menu items that they make in the central kitchen for service across the district. Having served the district for 22 years, Barbara’s experience extends back to culinary school and restaurant management and she continues to work to improve the food service quality and experience for students across her district. Barbara has successfully worked with both CDFA and USDA grants to help set goals for the district, link farm to school educational opportunities to the food service programming, and achieve procurement and recipe changes that incorporate fresh, local, organic products into school meals.
Archives: People
ALFRED COURCHESNE
In his signature overalls, “Farmer Al” Courchesne has been a beloved leader in California’s sustainable agriculture for over 40 years. Like his legendary peaches, Al is deeply rooted in California soil. Born in Louisiana and raised in Berkeley and El Cerrito, Al graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in anthropology before moving to Hawaii, where he taught at the Punahou School and discovered his passion for farming. For two years, he grew lettuce and tomatoes on the islands before returning to the Bay Area to pursue his agricultural calling.
In 1976, he planted his first peach orchard in Brentwood. Thirteen years later, Al transitioned to organic farming, inspired by a commitment to nurture the soil, protect the water, and support the local community.
Throughout his career, Farmer Al has been a pioneering advocate for sustainable land use, conservation, and organic regenerative practices. He lives on the farm with his wife, Becky, and their daughters, Maddie and Millie, continuing to cultivate a legacy of flavor, community, and land stewardship.
PAUL LIGHTFOOT
Paul is the General Manager of Patagonia Provisions, Patagonia’s food and beverage division. Founded by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia Provisions brings to market foods that help fight the environmental crisis. Paul is also the chair of the board of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which administers the Regenerative Organic Certified® standard, a revolutionary new label for food, fiber, and botanical ingredients and products. Regenerative Organic Certified® is based on three pillars that require farmers to use practices that ensure healthy soil, pasture-based animal welfare, and fairness for farmers and workers. Before joining Patagonia, Paul was the founder & CEO of BrightFarms, a company that builds and operates high-tech greenhouse farms that eliminate time, distance, and costs from the produce supply chain. Prior to BrightFarms, Paul was a technology entrepreneur and transactional attorney.
KATE WRIGHT
Kate is the Executive Director of Climate Mayors. Kate is responsible for strategic direction of the network, including helping cities implement bold policies and programs, supporting equitable climate action by the Federal Administration and Congress, and building initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while advancing economic growth and environmental justice. Prior to joining Climate Mayors, Kate served as CEO of CivicWell (formerly the Local Government Commission), where she worked with city and county leaders for fifteen years spearheading environmental initiatives on climate resilience, clean mobility, sustainable water management, livable communities, renewable energy, and affordable housing.
Janet Herrera Hualpa
Janet is a Civil Engineering student in her final semester at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and part of PGC Team Green World. Janet is committed to contributing to Perú’s sustainable development. Inspired by her parents’ stories of natural beauty, she developed a deep admiration for nature, which has driven her to explore Perú’s landscapes. Witnessing climate change’s impact firsthand has fueled her commitment to environmental advocacy. Through her engineering work, Janet aims to create sustainable solutions that will protect Perú’s biodiversity for future generations.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Commitment, Self-reflection, Will, Empathy, and Responsibility.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
For me, the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 was the commitment I upheld with each challenge that came up. Sometimes I would arrive feeling exhausted, but as soon as I saw the proposed topic, the motivation to research and write about it made my fatigue disappear. Each topic was so interesting that I genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to dive deeper and share my perspectives. This experience was significant because it pushed me out of my comfort zone, as I hadn’t previously expressed myself publicly on these subjects. PGC not only inspired me to learn more but also to connect and communicate in a way I hadn’t explored before.
CAP Project : Yaku Sumaq
Janet and Team Green World are addressing plastic pollution in Perú’s oceans through an educational and environmental CAP. The project seeks to foster ocean awareness and sustainability through active citizen engagement, with a strong emphasis on developing student-led environmental leadership. Grounded in innovative pedagogical strategies, it empowers young participants to become agents of change within their communities, promoting the protection and sustainable use of marine ecosystems.
Full CAP Summary here
Anjali Doria
Anjali is a senior at Unity Environmental University, where she is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Passionate about giving back to her community, she spends her free time volunteering with local conservation organizations. Anjali’s sustainability interests include food insecurity, soil health, food waste, and ocean conservation.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Powerful, Educational, Inspiring, Community, and Game-changing.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
The most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 was creating a FLOSN meal with my family. We were able to make a filling, delicious, FLOSN meal for less than $4/person. It was eye-opening to see that this healthy meal cost a third of the price of our average meal. However, what made this experience the most memorable was including my family. I can’t express how much joy it brought me to see my family support me in this Project Green journey and go out of their way to participate with me. It was the first experience within the challenge where I realized how much my community motivates me and how eager I am to show my community that I support it as well.
CAP Project : Manchester Food Forest
Anjali’s Climate Action Project (CAP) focuses on creating a food forest at a medical center in Manchester, Tennessee to address food insecurity and restore soil health through regenerative agriculture. Early harvests will provide fresh, organic produce to residents in need. As the forest matures, the goal is to replace Unity Medical Center’s cafeteria offerings and support the Daily Bread food distribution program. Success will be measured not only by food output, but also by soil improvement and community engagement.
Full CAP Summary here
Césaire Kouadio
Césaire is a graduate student from the Ivory Coast pursuing a Master’s degree in Climate Change and Marine Science at Universidade Técnica do Atlântico in Cape Verde. His passions have led him to research ocean dynamics, food security, and drivers of marine productivity. Césaire also works with Mon Potager Bio, helping women farmers practice organic and sustainable farming methods. He aims to advance climate resilience by applying his research to support sustainable practices in vulnerable communities.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Engaging, Inspiring, Transformative, Learning, and Wonderful.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
PGC 2024 Challenge is one of the most cherished experiences because I was challenged to think too much about my actions and their chances to correspond with my values. Each daily challenge provided some opportunity for me to venture into different aspects of sustainability, however Day 1 and Day 15 are the most exceptional. Day 1’s “Imagine” challenge brought to life a burning desire to see what the world could look like if we all became environmentally friendly. It was indeed an incredible way of kick-starting the journey. Fast forward onto Day 15, the aspect of focus was on soil health, which was quite eye-opening as it showed me the possibility of restoring systems and increasing food supply through regenerative designs of which I love to help out communities with their projects at MON POTAGER BIO. Another fundamental element of why PGC was such a great experience in my life was how it created links between all those individual impressions and an action-based agenda. The daily tasks, however, not only described the problems and issues on the global map but also outlined the way how one could make the global trends work for him given his circumstances. Naturally, that encouraged and inspired me, but also brought a proper modesty in me since I knew that there were also other people participating. This is further consolidation of my resolve regarding sustainable advocacy and more importantly it gives hope that change can happen even at the smallest of levels and consistency can build the change over time. PGC 2024 was a set of challenges rather, it was a journey that changed the perception towards one’s self, one’s actions and the way one fits in the whole context of sustainable movements.
CAP Project : The Circular Economy Marketplace & Repair Hub
Césaire’s CAP is a sustainability initiative in Mindelo, Cape Verde, envisioned as a permanent hub over the next five years for eco-friendly products made of upcycled or repaired materials. Initially focused on two workshops, the project has expanded to also include artisan engagement, beach cleanups, repair competitions, and one grand workshop. It empowers youth artisans, students, and communities to convert waste into usable products, thereby spurring innovation in upcycling. The initiative is establishing a strong foundation for long-term impact of the circular economy in Cape Verde through networking, community engagement, and fundraising efforts.
Full CAP Summary here
Jack Yu
Yuanzheng (Jack) Yu, a senior at Hamden Hall Country Day School in Connecticut and part of PGC Team Penguin, Polar Bear and Turtle, is passionate about data science and climate change. As the founder of the Carbon Footprint Club, he encourages his peers to consider their environmental impact. Jack and his friends developed CarbonTrackApp.com, a platform where users can log their carbon-reducing actions, earning credits that can be used for rewards and competitions. He believes that creating positive feedback for carbon reducing actions will foster sustainable habits.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Teamwork, Surmount, Connect, Share, and Reflect.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
PGC left me with the most memorable aspect is the richness and comprehensiveness of the resources in each day’s challenge. One of the most memorable moments for me was the 3D nude eye exploration of the magnificent expansive forests of Alberta, Canada under the greener title of Day 11’s challenge on forests. Without this challenge, I would never have been able to sit at home and explore and appreciate the evolution of the forest and learn about how indigenous people do their best to help face the forests on which they depend. It made me even more determined to create more green spaces in our neighborhoods that can be enjoyed and balance air pollution.
CAP Project : CarbonTrack
Jack and Team Penguin, Polar Bear, and Turtle have created a youth-led carbon accounting platform designed to promote environmental education and daily green action among teenagers worldwide. Through a website and app, users log eco-friendly behaviors, calculate CO2 emission reductions using authoritative, research-based algorithms, and use the “Carbon Credits” they earn to compete on leaderboards and exchange gifts in the “Credit Mall.” This gamified process incentivizes young users to repeat positive actions consistently until a green lifestyle is formed. To date, 12 high schools worldwide have joined this movement, engaged over 145 active users, and cumulatively saved 158 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
Full CAP Summary here
Sarah Q
Sarah is a high school student at Westover School in Connecticut. Her passion for environmental science began in middle school during a competition to design a sustainable city. Sarah is particularly interested in the issues of fast fashion, food waste, advocacy, and innovative environmental solutions. She hopes to deepen her understanding of the natural world and make a meaningful impact. Sarah plans to major in Environmental Science in college, continuing her commitment to sustainability.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Empowering, Transformative, Eye-opening, Global, and Connection.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
Participating in PGC has been an unforgettable experience, but the most memorable moment was when I met Ivanna, a fellow participant from Mexico. I had been wanting to connect myself with other participants but was nervous, and the challenge on Day 17 gave me the perfect opportunity. It was so inspiring for me to meet someone who shared similar passions and aspirations despite our different backgrounds and locations. Ivanna’s enthusiasm made me more excited; she was an incredible listener and also talked to me about where she comes from, what she cares about, and her personal life too. What I remember most, though, was both of our desires to learn and grow in terms of climate advocacy. She told me, “I don’t care about winning each challenge, I want to work hard on the challenges,” which was evident in the quality and time she put into her posts, like her produce pals! I didn’t realize that a single conversation with another like-minded student could make me feel more supported and inspired. I understand that the summit for finalists allows them to attend a meeting to learn and to grow, but also to make friendships and connections with those around them. I am especially excited for that aspect of meeting people who are truly passionate to make a difference in the environmental movement.
CAP Project : Style Cycle
Sarah’s CAP is a sustainability and social impact initiative that brings together fashion, environmental awareness, and a sense of community. It was inspired by learning about the extreme impacts of fast fashion and consumerism on our earth through PGC, specifically how the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, which is 1.2 billion tons annually. A campus Swap Shop allows faculty and staff to donate clothing while also picking out new items! The CAP helps reimagine how fashion is viewed on campus and beyond.
Full CAP Summary here
Mila Shih
Mila is a Taiwanese-American student at San Luis Obispo High School with a dream of becoming a plant and soil scientist. Inspired by a science and gardening teacher, she learned the importance of respecting nature from an early age. During the pandemic, Mila discovered how natural solutions like fungi and plants can replace synthetic chemicals, sparking her passion for sustainable practices. Influenced by the book The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, she believes that nature holds solutions to many environmental challenges.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Empowering, Enlightening, Enriching, Eye-opening, and Motivational.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
The most memorable part of Project Green Challenge has been learning SO MUCH more about environmental issues and their sustainable solutions. It has been amazing to wake up everyday with a new theme to learn about, realizing that our actions spark a chain reaction that can significantly impact environments, for better or worse. I was stunned to discover the trillions of tons of plastic and food wasted each year, and how our daily habits can be changed to become WAYYYY more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
CAP Project : A Fruitful Future
Mila’s CAP aims to bring awareness to the San Luis Obispo community and beyond about urban food forests’ potential to solve a plethora of issues facing metropolitan areas, including air quality, the urban heat island effect, water scarcity, biodiversity, and food insecurity. Work includes in-depth research, outreach to local businesses and organizations, and educating students about the potential of systemic change in how people think about their relationship with water, the environment, and urban spaces as a whole. The results have already been seen in connecting with and encouraging SLO residents to begin converting lawns into food forests.
Full CAP Summary here
