Recipes for Change: Teens Take a Seat at the Table for Food Democracy

What if the power of democracy could be tasted—bite by bite, sip by sip?

On September 20, 2025, more than 100 teens from Jack and Jill of America, Inc. will gather at the University of the District of Columbia for Amplify U, where they’ll get a hands-on lesson in food, policy, and power through “Recipes for Change: A Food Democracy Workshop” led by Tambra Raye Stevenson, founder of WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture.

This is no ordinary workshop. It’s a game of democracy served on a plate. Teens will vote on each ingredient—choosing whether their group will create a spicy, sweet, or savory smoothie or salad. With every decision, they’ll learn how collective voices shape outcomes, whether in the kitchen or in Congress.

“Recipes for Change is a taste of democracy. When teens vote on the final dish, they experience firsthand how every choice matters and how collective decisions shape the outcome. In today’s climate, where young voices are needed more than ever, this workshop shows that voting isn’t just about food—it’s about having a seat at the table, making your voice heard, and understanding the power we all hold to create change together,” said Cherdena Daniel, Regional Legislative Chair, Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

In today’s climate—where food prices are rising and federal nutrition programs like SNAP-Ed face funding cuts—youth must understand how food policy shapes what ends up on their plates and in their communities. A Food Bill of Rights gives teens the language and framework to connect their everyday experiences of food access with the bigger picture of democracy, equity, and justice. By equipping the next generation with this knowledge, WANDA ensures that young voices are not only at the table, but shaping the policies that feed the nation.

For Stevenson, the stakes are bigger than salad bowls and smoothie cups. “Recipes for Change gives Jack and Jill youth a powerful way to understand the intersection of health and policy, while practicing democracy with their hands, voices, and votes. Together, we will fuel the next generation of food democracy leaders to understand the power of their voice to fight for a Food Bill of Rights,” she said.

Why Food Democracy?

Food is one of the most direct ways policy touches our lives. From school lunches to grocery prices to community gardens, decisions made in Washington shape what ends up on our plates. Recipes for Change makes this real for teens: just as their votes decide the recipe, their voices can influence the laws that shape food access, health, and justice.

What Teens Will Experience

• Hands-on democracy: voting ingredient by ingredient.

• Cultural pride: exploring the roots and health benefits of kale, black-eyed peas, avocado, mango, turmeric, and more.

• Leadership in action: working as a team to build their dish and their message.

• Advocacy skills: recording a group video declaring: “We need a Food Bill of Rights!”

By the end, Jack and Jill teens will leave empowered to say:

• “We are the future. We need a Food Bill of Rights.”

• “We will fuel our leadership with healthy, cultural foods.”

• “Our voices matter in shaping food policy.”

This workshop plants the seeds for youth to lead—not only at the table, but also on the Hill.

About Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2–19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty. Since its founding in 1938, Jack and Jill has grown to more than 250 chapters nationwide, empowering youth through programs focused on cultural awareness, community service, and advocacy. By investing in the next generation, Jack and Jill continues to build a legacy of strong, well-rounded leaders who are prepared to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

About WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture

Founded by Tambra Raye Stevenson, MPH, WANDA is a global nonprofit on a mission to empower women and girls of African descent to lead in building healthier communities through food, nutrition, and agriculture. WANDA educates, advocates, and innovates across generations with programs like the WANDA Scholars, Sisterhood Suppers, and Little WANDA children’s edutainment series. From championing a Food Bill of Rights to advancing culturally relevant food as medicine initiatives, WANDA plants seeds of change to restore health, reclaim heritage, and reinforce community power from farm to fork.