Dear friend,

As we inch our way closer to the opening of scallop season on December 1st here in New England and many are diving into the harvest season, things here at NAMA have been bustling. There’s been an upwelling of momentum from the People’s Kitchen Counter-Mobilization to Farm Aid 2021 and so much more. 

Last month, Niaz reminded us all to find joy, and this month, I’d like to remind us all to take pause. When times are busy like this, taking a small pause here and there allows us to celebrate the accomplishments and start envisioning where this momentum will carry us. This time of year, my favorite time to pause is first thing in the morning, appreciating the dewy grass, and crisp morning air as Hugo and I take our first walk of the day. It helps set the tone for the day, and I’m guaranteed a moment of stillness, even if the day ahead is overflowing with plans.
As you can see, Hugo's favorite time to take paws is in the summer sun, anywhere there's grass.

Remember to take a pause for yourself occasionally, celebrate accomplishments, growth, and ride the wave of momentum! 

Stay well friends, 
Jen
Applications for Scale Your Local Catch (SYLC) are now open! SYLC is a no-cost, producer-centered business accelerator developed to strengthen local and regional seafood systems by building the knowledge, skills, and networks needed for direct marketing seafood businesses to scale up their operations and increase their capacity and viability for long-term resilience. Programs like SYLC are integral in the fight for food justice. Shifting markets to uplift and benefit value-based seafood operations is key to building a food system that ensures fair wages and working conditions, equitable access, and healthy marine ecosystems. 

Ready to apply for SYLC? Apply here
As part of our ongoing commitment to Stopping Corporate Takeover, NAMA, National Family Farm Coalition, Slow Food USA, the People's Forum, and several other organizations hosted the People’s Kitchen Counter-Mobilization: Food System Take-Back on September 23, the same day as the UN Food System Summit. The UNFSS has allowed multinational corporate giants a seat at the table, while marginalizing the voices of those whose hands put food on our collective tables. Corporate takeover of our food system blocks the creation of real solutions to problems like hunger and climate change, and threatens food sovereignty. Instead, the People’s Kitchen Counter-Mobilization focused on real world solutions and strategies and uplifted the importance and role of food sovereignty in real solutions.  

If you couldn’t join us, or even if you did, we invite you to watch the recordings:

The Farm Aid Farmer Town Hall uplifted the voices of farmers and ranchers across the country. Not only did they share their stories, challenges, and opportunities, farmers and ranchers - and even fishing people - called in and raised questions for the USDA, the administration, and congress. Kindra Arnesen of Louisiana called in with a question about disaster relief. Her experience with the aftermath of yet another hurricane added to the urgency of her question. USDA staff acknowledged that they need to do more for fisheries in general. Discussions covered racial equity and justice, climate change, equitable access to USDA programs, farmer debt relief, consolidation and competition, and beginning farmer resources. The event was moderated by Scott Marlow, Qiana Mickie, and Niaz Dorry. We invite you to dive into the rich discussion and check out the recording!
Fish was once again at Farm Aid! Both the concession stand and Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe food truck were serving up delicious bites, including shrimp and grits and fried yellowfin tuna bite. Yum! Follow Lone Cedar Cafe on Instagram @lonecedarcafe.

NAMA is a fishermen-led organization building a broad movement toward healthy fisheries, and fishing communities.

We build deep, and trusting relationships with community based fisherman, crew, fishworkers, and allies to create effective policy, and market strategies.