Chinatown Alternative Food Systems RoundTable
USDA Equity Members, Anita Lee and Yvonne Lee, moderated the roundtable alongside Welcome to Chinatown’s Harry Trinh.
Chinatown has been a gateway for fresh culturally relevant produce, fruits, and meats- including produce that is locally grown by Asian owned farms in New York State. This connection to local agriculture is vital for providing nutrition and quality ingredients in our food, preserving our community's culinary traditions, and providing a livelihood for suppliers all across the food chain, from the farmers to restaurants. However, the sustainability of this alternative food system is under threat, as minority farmers face significant challenges in maintaining and growing their operations. This is further compounded by the “devastating impact of discriminatory practices within the USDA” outlined in the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers’ Recommendations Report released in July 2023. Following the recommendations report, The USDA Equity Commission recently released a Final Report in February 2024 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture with recommendations to advance racial equity and support underserved communities.
Lunch was catered by Sen Saigon, a plant based Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown.
On July 29, Welcome to Chinatown convened 40+ stakeholders in Chinatown’s alternative food system including small to mid sized farmers, wholesalers and distributors, restaurants, and government agencies to discuss the recommendations with members of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. Moderated by Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers Member Anita Lee (Owner, Bo Bo Poultry) and USDA Equity Commission Member Yvonne Lee, the roundtable provided a platform for voices that are often marginalized in broader agricultural policy discussions, ensuring that the unique challenges faced by our community are heard and addressed.
The roundtable discussion highlighted the long history of systemic discrimination by federal institutions, which has severely impacted the livelihoods of minority farmers across the country. Despite making up only a small percentage of the total farming population, Asian American farmers face unique challenges, especially in states like New York.
One of the most urgent issues discussed was the lack of succession planning among minority farmers, which is leading to the loss of family-owned farms, including to private equity firms. The need for a robust plan to keep land within these communities was evident, and the conversation underscored the importance of providing technical resources—such as legal support and financial counseling—to sustain these operations.
Attendees broke into smaller groups to discuss topics including succession planning, procurement, and access to resources.
The roundtable also explored opportunities for minority farmers to tap into high-end markets, particularly through collaborations with restaurants seeking specific, high-quality products. Additionally, the discussion on procurement highlighted the need for reforms that prioritize value-based bidders, which could open doors for small and mid-sized farms to secure long-term government contracts given that small and mid-sized farms cannot compete solely based on the lowest price.
Another significant opportunity discussed was the potential to create a community directory that connects all individuals involved in the local food supply chain—from farmers to transporters, wholesalers, and restaurants. This directory could serve as a powerful tool for promoting the local economy, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the entire supply chain is supported and empowered to thrive.
This roundtable was a reminder of the ongoing challenges that minority farmers face and the collective action needed to create a more equitable agricultural system. Welcome to Chinatown is dedicated to continuing this work, ensuring that the voices of our community are not only heard but acted upon to bring about meaningful change.
