Chris Brockel, former Food and Gardens manager has resigned from his position at the Community Action Coalition to take on the position of Executive Director of Fairshare CSA. Food pantry volunteers and staff reacted to the news with an outpouring of well wishes, kind words and some sadness. While we all wish him well and we are happy for his continued success, Chris' contribution to the current food security system, as we know it here in Dane County, exists in large part to his leadership, dedication and commitment to serving the poorest of Dane Counties families, children and seniors.
I came to know Chris while at the Goodman Community Center as their Food Pantry Coordinator. I, along with others who worked closely with Chris, had a strong feeling that Chris listened and responded to the growing need of food pantries to serve healthy foods. Chris, along with others at the Community Action Coalition, became a clear champion for food pantries and the customers that they served. He worked hard to develop close relationships with farmers markets and other local growers to provide fresh locally sourced produce to food pantries. Even the monthly commodities provided through the USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program were healthier, thanks to Chris advocating for healthier foods. When food pantries asked Chris and the CAC for healthier options, they responded. Food pantry customers throughout Dane County began to have more choice in the kinds of foods they could feed themselves and their families, in large part because of Chris Brockel.
Joe Brosious, the pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church said, "Chris has been a blessing by just modeling a constant and consistent presence at the CAC. You always knew you could count on him, you always new he would be there or he would have someone there and there was always a level of service that you wish every place had but in this day and age is so few and far between. Steady, consistent, compassionate leadership." Chris earned his leadership and those who serve food pantries knew they could count on Chris to do the right thing versus "the political thing".
Chris's contribution was in providing leadership in helping to build a network of food pantries, a system of procuring and storing large inventories of donated foods, building and developing relationships with community donors as well as coming up with ways to distribute this food to food pantries in a timely manner. Over the years, Chris began to work with local growers and volunteers to start to create food pantry gardens, and created the "Plant an Extra Row" initiative. The current food sustainability system as we know it, exists, in large part, to Chris's leadership.
Nancy Brattie, Food Pantry Coordinator for the Cambridge Food Pantry had this to say about Chris,
"I started as coordinator of the Cambridge Food Pantry this past March and Chris was a person I could call with any question or when I stopped up at the CAC he was always available to help you in any way he could. I could tell he really cared about the people he was helping and was always so pleasant!"
As a former member of the Dane County Food Pantry Network, I wish Chris well in his new exciting role as Executive Director of Fairshare CSA and we look forward to all the wonderful and exciting vision and leadership Chris will continue to bring to Dane County through his involvement with the Madison Food Policy Council. I serve on this council with Chris and I am honored to do so. Yet, the Community Action Coalition will continue to be the leading agency in Dane County that provides comprehensive services to those living well below the poverty level. We are grateful for all of the charitable and compassionate services offered by the CAC. As we say farewell to Chris and congratulate him on his new position, we continue to look forward to working with the Community Action Coalition and we are excited to hear who will take his place. One food pantry coordinator simply said, " When I started at Grace Episcopal Church Food Pantry as Coordinator, Chris made me feel very welcome. I will miss his smile when I visit CAC. I wish him all the best." Lorraine Brathwaite. Grace Episcopal
I came to know Chris while at the Goodman Community Center as their Food Pantry Coordinator. I, along with others who worked closely with Chris, had a strong feeling that Chris listened and responded to the growing need of food pantries to serve healthy foods. Chris, along with others at the Community Action Coalition, became a clear champion for food pantries and the customers that they served. He worked hard to develop close relationships with farmers markets and other local growers to provide fresh locally sourced produce to food pantries. Even the monthly commodities provided through the USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program were healthier, thanks to Chris advocating for healthier foods. When food pantries asked Chris and the CAC for healthier options, they responded. Food pantry customers throughout Dane County began to have more choice in the kinds of foods they could feed themselves and their families, in large part because of Chris Brockel.
Joe Brosious, the pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church said, "Chris has been a blessing by just modeling a constant and consistent presence at the CAC. You always knew you could count on him, you always new he would be there or he would have someone there and there was always a level of service that you wish every place had but in this day and age is so few and far between. Steady, consistent, compassionate leadership." Chris earned his leadership and those who serve food pantries knew they could count on Chris to do the right thing versus "the political thing".
Chris's contribution was in providing leadership in helping to build a network of food pantries, a system of procuring and storing large inventories of donated foods, building and developing relationships with community donors as well as coming up with ways to distribute this food to food pantries in a timely manner. Over the years, Chris began to work with local growers and volunteers to start to create food pantry gardens, and created the "Plant an Extra Row" initiative. The current food sustainability system as we know it, exists, in large part, to Chris's leadership.
Nancy Brattie, Food Pantry Coordinator for the Cambridge Food Pantry had this to say about Chris,
"I started as coordinator of the Cambridge Food Pantry this past March and Chris was a person I could call with any question or when I stopped up at the CAC he was always available to help you in any way he could. I could tell he really cared about the people he was helping and was always so pleasant!"
As a former member of the Dane County Food Pantry Network, I wish Chris well in his new exciting role as Executive Director of Fairshare CSA and we look forward to all the wonderful and exciting vision and leadership Chris will continue to bring to Dane County through his involvement with the Madison Food Policy Council. I serve on this council with Chris and I am honored to do so. Yet, the Community Action Coalition will continue to be the leading agency in Dane County that provides comprehensive services to those living well below the poverty level. We are grateful for all of the charitable and compassionate services offered by the CAC. As we say farewell to Chris and congratulate him on his new position, we continue to look forward to working with the Community Action Coalition and we are excited to hear who will take his place. One food pantry coordinator simply said, " When I started at Grace Episcopal Church Food Pantry as Coordinator, Chris made me feel very welcome. I will miss his smile when I visit CAC. I wish him all the best." Lorraine Brathwaite. Grace Episcopal