Lisa Schutz | Southeast Minnesota Food Rescue and Redistribution Program (SEMNFRR)

Lisa is an Indigenous Agriculturist, entrepreneur, and the founder and Director of the Southeast Minnesota Food Rescue and Redistribution Program (SEMNFRR). She is recognized as an expert in developing sustainable food systems that prevent food waste and increase food security in Minnesota’s marginalized communities.  She serves on the Olmsted County Food Security Coalition and continues to work closely with disadvantaged urban and rural communities in Minnesota serving traditional foods and medicines for Indigenous peoples.  She is honored to participate in the Indigenous Farmers Work Group and is a member of the MN Emerging Farmer Working Group committee. She has worked in MN-grown marketplaces, in both traditional and emerging grower’s markets for over a decade. She is aligned with food producers and their local and regional food systems. barriers and needs; by participating in the Indigenous Farmers Workgroup. She is a food sovereignty activist and teaches Indigenous traditional plant uses, food growing, and preservation. The focus of her current work includes developing equitable opportunities and prosperity for MN Indigenous and Black emerging farmers; while creating sustainable food systems that prevent food waste and increase food security in Minnesota’s marginalized communities. Foundational her work is teaching youth the importance of the traditional Indigenous lifestyle, through interplay within their ecosystems and respect for the Earth and the ancestral connections it holds. Doing it the right way as one, and honoring food as medicine remains the compass that guides Lisa’s work to remove BIPOC community vulnerabilities before they become community victimizations. Ethnobotany and food as medicine remain the compass that guides her purpose. Intentionally seeking the restoration of indigenous peoples' healthy ecosystems with the natural outcome of balanced, bountiful food and ecosystems, and the revitalization of our