Dear QAI friends and colleagues,
Our team wants to add our voices to the resounding outrage at the unjust killings and systemic oppression of Black lives. To build a better, more equitable food system, our institutions and individuals must change to offer justice, safety and access to all.
Earlier this month, Kevin P. Lawlor, President and CEO of our parent company NSF International, sent a message to our staff and our wider communities. He also took the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to help end racism and bias in the workforce. Here is an excerpt of what he shared:
I want to add my voice to the chorus of leaders making a public commitment to end racism and injustice toward Black people. I am outraged by the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others. Their lives mattered. Black lives matter.
NSF respects, honors, acknowledges and stands with its team members – regardless of race, color or creed. We do not accept racism or bias of any kind. But we also recognize that action matters.
You can read more about our CEO’s action pledge on NSF.org.
NSF and QAI look forward to updating you soon with more specific actions we are taking to support racial equity in our workplaces, our communities and beyond.
Below please find some resources our team is using to educate ourselves about racial equity in our food system and inspire actions each of us can choose to take. We invite you to join us in learning more.
“To natural products industry leaders: Let us act now to dismantle systemic racism” – New Hope Network
“Why We Can’t Separate Justice and Sustainability in the Food System” - Union of Concerned Scientists
Food Justice Resource page - Civil Eats
“Farming While Black: Dismantling Racism in the Food System” - Cultivating a Healthy Food System (CUESA)