Ella Zalewsky

Ella Zalewsky is a dedicated advocate for sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems.
Born and raised in Southern Rhode Island, Ella earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from the University of Rhode Island before moving to North Carolina. Ella is currently finishing her Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems through Arizona State University while working as a Local Foods Research Assistant with NC State University. Fueled by a deep passion for food justice, Ella has helped investigate the feasibility of increased native crop (‘ulu, niu) production in Maui Nui to enhance local food value chains, as well as the potential for North Carolina to design and implement a Farm to Early Care and Education Local Food Purchasing Incentive program. Currently, Ella is researching values-based institutional food procurement for her graduate capstone, exploring how Farm to Hospital programming operates in hospitals with contracted food service management operations, and how these practices can be implemented in Wake County, NC. In her free time, Ella enjoys hiking with her partner, exploring local markets, and trying new foods. Ella is thrilled to be working with the RIFPC again this summer, and looks forward to examining the interconnections between coastal climate resilience and food systems.