WhyHunger congratulates our partner and friend Maya Salsedo for winning the prestigious 2012 Brower Youth Award in recognition of her work for food justice, in particular her leadership in developing the Youth Food Bill of Rights. Maya was part of the first class of youth leaders back in 2007 at the youth empowerment and food justice program “Food, What?!” (also a 2012 Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Award winner). The experience turned out to be life-changing for Maya, setting her on a path that also seems likely to change the world.

We are profoundly impressed by Maya’s dedication to transforming the food system by tapping into the power of youth. Since moving on from “Food, What?!,” she has been part of youth food justice organizations Live Real and Rooted in Community, where she is the national Youth Organizer, working with youth across the country to organize around the Youth Food Bill of Rights. Maya is also a full-time student at Mills College.

You can read all about Maya’s story here (along with an account of the high-energy “Food, What?!” trip to the Brower Youth Award ceremony!), watch the video below to learn more about her and her inspiring work, and read the cover story about Maya in Santa Cruz’ “Good Times” magazine!