Food Justice at DFC: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley Holds Roundtable and Press Conference at DFC (Event: Nov 3, 2025)
When food access feels uncertain, community becomes the anchor.
Earlier this month, Dorchester Food Co-op had the honor of hosting a roundtable discussion on food access and community resilience at the Co-op. We welcomed Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, State Representative Christopher Worrell, and Boston City Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Brian Worrell, and Henry Santana, alongside local food organizations, health partners, and Co-op Board Members.
Community members and orgs reps, DFC Board members, along with elected officials took part in a conversation centered on a shared truth: food is a human right — and when systems strain, communities must be empowered to care for one another. The roundtable was followed by a press conference that lifted up both the urgency of the moment and the strength that already exists within Dorchester.
Read more: Our response at DFC: Neighbors Feed Neighbors
Dorchester Food Co-op is only as strong as the people who fill its aisles. In response to growing food uncertainty, we launched Neighbors Feed Neighbors (NFN) — a community-powered initiative that meets immediate needs while strengthening long-term stability through cooperation and shared ownership.
This work is made possible by a generous seed donation from the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (ULEM). Their leadership investment allows DFC to launch NFN with real scale and intention:
200 DFC gift cards, valued at $50 each, distributed through trusted community partners
100 discounted Co-op membership shares, expanding ownership and access for households who may otherwise be excluded
These resources ensure that support reaches people with dignity, choice, and care — through organizations that already know their communities best.