Vetiveah Is Liberating Her Community Through
Faith, Farming & Food Justice
Vetiveah Immanuel
is a Farmer & Food Justice Advocate
She’s passionate about liberating her community from wealth and health disparities through faith, farming, and food justice advocacy. For over a decade, she’s worked across urban agriculture, nutrition education, economic development, and community organizing. She’s seen firsthand how frustrating it is living in neighborhoods where real food is scarce by design through political and spiritual forces that keep communities struggling. Vetiveah shares the lessons, stories, and strategies to empower others with knowledge, skills, resources, and faith to dismantle the barriers in our food system.
Vetiveah Works With
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Youth
Teaching kids to grow food in school, homeschool, and after school programs
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BIPOC Farmers
Cooperating to distribute CSA to food-insecure communities
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Entrepreneurs
Advising food ventures on strategy and growth
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Justice-Impacted Men
Restorating life-skills in growing food and health education
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Community Leaders & Organizers
Advancing equitable food, farm, and land policies for food-insecure communities
Hi, I’m Vetiveah
I used to be a picky eater who loved McDonald’s, mostly because that’s what was around. Growing up in neighborhoods with limited food options, fast food was the easiest and sometimes the only choice. I’m from Louisiana, the mecca for flavor, culture, and community where food isn’t just sustenance, it’s storytelling. Yet somewhere along the way, I lost that connection. Meals became about convenience, not care. I didn’t realize it then, but my picky eating was a symptom of something deeper: being cut off from the foods and traditions that shaped my identity.
That began to change one summer when I worked on an urban farm in Chicago. There, I learned how food grows, the science behind its nutritional benefits, and how local policies determine what ends up on our plates. For the first time, I saw food as more than just something to eat; it was a reflection of history, access, and power.
As I harvested vegetables, I started reconnecting with my own. I thought about the dishes my family used to make like gumbo simmering for hours, red beans on Mondays, the rhythm of gathering around food. I realized that my so-called “picky eating” wasn’t about being difficult; it was about craving connection.
That summer helped me rediscover the joy and meaning food holds in my culture. It taught me that food is identity, memory, love and that everyone deserves access to that kind of nourishment.
Testimonials
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You have such strong passion connectivity building connections within our state with kindness generosity thoughtfulness and inclusive! - Ali Ghiorse, The Foodshed Network
Your work is so important! Keep up the great work! Thank you for keep us informed! - JaTorra Commodore, Rise Your Vibe Collective
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She's the bees knees! - Michelle Mccabe, Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport
Vetiveah is amazing! - Kashia Diaz, KD Gastronomy Consultant
I’m so proud of the work and advocacy you do! - Melissa Holfiena, Professor Southern Connecticut State University
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Teaching nutrition in my class was truly transformative with Vetiveah. Her passion, knowledge, and dedication ignited a spark in our students, inspiring them to make healthier choices for a lifetime. Your impact will forever be cherished! - Mrs. Sims, Bridgeport Public Schools
Congratulations this is so awesome for you and our community. Having someone like you on the communities side is amazing. Healing through food! - Sheila Howard, Auntie Sheelah Cheesecake -
You are making a difference, improving the lives of people through education and growing opportunities! Well done! You are a shining star! - Micki Bello
Thank you from Michael and Amelia Howard we are so proud of you and we thank you for being part of our journey we have learned from each other! - Amelia Howard, Eden Place Farms
Ready to Work With Vetiveah?
To have Vetiveah speak at your organization, click the button below and fill out the booking form.
Speaking Topics and Programs:
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Connecting kids to gardening, nutrition, and hands-on food education.
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Growing food for nourishment, wellness, and community resilience.
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Culturally relevant nutrition
Food as medicine
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Dismantling food apartheid, reclaiming access, and restoring cultural foodways.
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Confronting historical land loss and creating pathways to generational wealth.
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Mobilizing residents, leaders, and partners to address food system inequities.
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Teaching food justice and land liberation through a biblical lens.
Supporting re-entry, skill-building, and empowerment through gardening and nutrition for Justice-Impacted Communities.
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Business support for food startups, farm CSA models, value-added products, and other food enterprises.
Listen to Vetiveah’s podcast
Honest conversations about the inequalities in our food system and agriculture industry. Vetiveah breaks down the spiritual connection between land, food, and our relationship to God from a biblical perspective—bringing real talk about identity, healing, restoration, and building an equitable food system grounded in collective power and action.
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