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Why Convening to Advance Ancestral Nutrition is Important
Dear Friend,
I’m full of hope and inspiration after having just attended the Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS) at UCLA. The energy and information sharing were exceptional, as were the connections with friends old and new.
Congratulations to AHS leadership for a tremendous gathering and especially for convening a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) panel. This topic has been unaddressed for far too long in the ancestral health community. At Price-Pottenger, we are newly committed to making DEI a priority and a guiding principle for our work for years to come.
During the Symposium, Price-Pottenger sponsored a dinner at restaurant Lulu at the Hammer Museum with ancestral health leaders to explore our shared mission to improve human health. Our conversation was started by none other than American restaurateur, chef, author, and food activist, Alice Waters, founder of Chez Panisse, and conceiver of Lulu with award-winning chef, David Tanis.
Alice, to whom we are so grateful, spoke with us about making delicious seasonal foods more accessible. In her latest venture she is advising University of California campuses to shift to entirely regenerative dining options in five years, propelled by The Alice Waters Institute under development at UC Davis. I’m excited to explore ways to help advance this initiative.
At the Symposium, I was especially pleased to meet Brent Pottenger, M.D., MHA (and soon to be PhD), grandnephew of Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., MD, who made an informative presentation about pain management. Also, our very own administrative and marketing specialist, Stephanie Welch, made a compelling argument supporting human touch as an essential nutrient during the poster session. Well done, Stephanie!
For those who couldn’t join us at this year’s Symposium, the Ancestral Health Society generously makes its videos available to the public soon after the event via their YouTube channel. While we eagerly await this year’s talks being uploaded, now is an excellent time to review their playlists full of captivating presentations from previous years.
Advancing universal access to nourishment and healing is the vision of Price-Pottenger, and after having completed a nearly year-long listening tour with health practitioners, researchers, and ecosystem partners to explore how we can best serve, we’re stepping headlong into a new strategic plan to reinvigorate our organization from the ground up.
In this regard, I am overjoyed to introduce two exceptional people who have joined our board of directors: Orleatha Smith, M.Ed., co-founder of coffee-substitute company, Sip Herbals, and a wellness expert; and founder of sourdough baking company, Rise by Brianna, and a rising freshman at American University, Brianna Schindler (daughter of Dr. Bill Schindler and not related to me). Please take a moment to get to know Orleatha and Brianna by reading their bios at our Leadership page.
As I write this, I am reminded of Margaret Mead’s famous quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” As an integral part of our community, we’re grateful that you’re alongside us on our journey to improve human health. If our vision and this information is supporting you and helping to empower your journey, please consider supporting our work by donating today.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Steven J. Schindler,
Executive Director