As I make my exit as President of the Board of IGI, I’m reminded of what Maya Angelou once said: “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver”. 

I joined the IGI Board in 2015 and became President in January 2020. Every challenge of the past few years has become another highlight.

During the pandemic our Island Grown Schools educators temporarily became farmers, so IGI could respond to the increased demand for food support from our neighbors. We had to redesign our community lunch program to a delivery model to ensure that students learning at home had access to good nutritious meals.

I oversaw our merger with the Island Food Pantry; now the keystone program in the fight against food insecurity on our Island. Today, there are over 4,200 Islanders registered, the largest number ever due to the rising cost of housing, fuel, and food, and the impact of a seasonal economy on Island Families. 

We purchased a year-round commercial kitchen, so we can prepare and deliver over 80,000 healthy, nutritious meals across the Island in 2024, a much needed 33% increase over 2023.

We articulated our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion vision and created a roadmap of specific goals and programs to ensure our continued commitment to this diverse Island community.

And we’ve sown the seeds for what’s to come. Including: 

• Opening a new, permanent home for the Island Food Center, including an even more robust Food Pantry and increased room to store food.

• Completing staff housing at our Farm, which will increase our ability to recruit and retain the best people to fulfill our mission.

• Launching a new strategic plan to meet the ever-growing, ever-changing needs for a safe and equitable food system here on the Island.

Serving on the board of IGI has been a richly rewarding and yes liberating experience. I leave behind a strong diverse and committed Board, a terrific management team, and inspired staff and volunteers. 

But none of this success or our future impact would happen without the financial support of our community. Please join me in donating to this vital work as I proudly step back to take my place as your neighbor on this beautiful Island.

Yours,

Lynne Whiting

IGI Board President

Photos by: Tim Connelly, Randi Baird