Harvesting Insights from the 2022 Universal Table

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us around the Universal Table last Friday. It was such a fruitful discussion that left us with so much food for thought and ideas for action in the face of an often overwhelming threat of food crisis.

We are so grateful to our table guests and the facilitator, DeVon Nolen, who held space for a dialogue that was authentic, global, and representative of a diverse range of perspectives. Read on for a recap of the conversation and the full recording.

Thank you also to Rodrigo Bueno, the talented artist who captured the richness of our conversation in real time. Check out his work below.

Key Takeaways from our conversation


Creating the social architecture and relational infrastructure for transformation to emerge

  • Creating more impact in communities means taking time to establish relationships based on trust and genuine care for the whole

  • Wisdom exists at the grassroots and those who are interested in funding local initiatives should work with practitioners to establish a set of metrics that reflect the significance of relationships and qualitative success

  • The power of relational infrastructure cannot be over emphasized in the process of building more resilient communities

Shifting to an alternative narrative around agriculture & engaging the youth

  • We have all these great roadmaps, but we need to include the voice of the young people

  • The next generation of farmers should emerge out of a genuine interest in agriculture, not obligation. Moving forward, we need to make agriculture more appealing to youth

  • Young people should not only be beneficiaries of our collective initiatives but also stakeholders with input that is considered when it comes to decision making

Challenging unsustainable power dynamics

  • In the spirit of doing with not for, we need to give the power back to those who we are serving with the realization that local solutions are a building block for stronger communities

  • People with lived experience need to be part of the conversations about what success would look like and how funds need to be channeled in their communities

Thank you to our table guests!

Who was at at the table?

  • Diego Benitez, Founder & CEO, SiembraViva SAS (Colombia)

  • Dina Saoudi, Co-Founder of Seven Circles & Empowering Through (Jordan)

  • Joshna Maharaj, Chef, Activist & Educator (Canada)

  • Kim Frankovich, Global Vice President, Sustainability for Griffith Foods Worldwide Inc. (USA)

  • Matt Smith, Senior Director of the PepsiCo Foundation (USA)

  • Maxwell Mumba, Youth Advocate and Psychosocial Counselor (Zambia)

The dialogue was facilitated by SGM Member and expert convener DeVon Nolen, who followed a refined framework designed to harvest insight and reflection that translates across borders, industries, and life experiences.

SGM Team