This spotlight explores how arts and cultural practices can strengthen food systems resilience through the work of the Roanoke Foodshed Network (RFN), a regional collaborative advancing a more resilient, equitable, and accessible food system. Drawing on a community–university partnership, the session highlights how RFN uses arts and storytelling to build relationships, honor cultural food traditions, and foster inclusion across the region.

Participants will learn from initiatives such as Arts Connect the Food System and Stories of Community Food Work, which use culturally grounded events and storytelling to elevate diverse voices, deepen community understanding, and inform collective action. The webinar will share practical insights and strategies for integrating arts-based approaches into community resilience work.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Katie Trozzo is a Food Systems Network and Outreach Specialist in the Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education and Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement with the Virginia Tech Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation. She also serves as the Virginia Tech–based State Coordinator for the Virginia SARE program. Her work focuses on building partnerships that support farm viability, land and water stewardship, and resilient food systems. Her work draws upon cultural community development and she uses arts-based approaches to support community transformation.

Spotlight On Arts and Cultural Approaches to Community Resilience