Recently, there's been an increase in misinformation and false narratives around nutrition, food access programs, agriculture, and other areas of the food system. With so much of this information stemming from government agencies and people in power, it can be challenging to decipher fact from fiction. Join the Arizona Food Systems Network and four expert panelists on May 7th from 10 - 11:30 AM to unpack everything from the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans to SNAP eligibility and the USDA's "Farmer First" agenda. We invite you to submit your questions ahead of time using this form and share this opportunity with your colleagues.

Panelists

Ashley Grabb, MSW, Arizona Department of Agriculture

Ashley Grabb is the Director of the Agriculture and Food Systems Support Division at the Arizona Department of Agriculture - the only non-regulatory division within the Department. Growing up on a six-generation family farm in Illinois, Ashley developed a lifelong connection to the land that drives her commitment to providing clear, practical insights into the realities of farming. In her current role, she works to strengthen Arizona’s agricultural ecosystem by fostering relationships across all levels of the industry. Recognizing that many have lost touch with how their food is produced, she is dedicated to sharing agriculture's story and helping the community navigate the food supply chain's many nuances.

With over 15 years of "field to plate" experience, Ashley’s career has focused on strengthening the links within our food system. She previously managed a Beginning Farmer Program in Colorado and has led local food procurement initiatives for K-12 schools, universities across the West, and a national grocery chain. Her background also includes extensive program management and hands-on research, including a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 study assessing fruit and vegetable consumption in Arizona schools.

Ashley holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois and bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Eastern Illinois University. She sits on the board of the Arizona Farm to School Network and is actively involved with the Arizona Food Systems Network. Through her work, she remains a dedicated advocate for food access, agricultural education, and the long-term resilience of the state's diverse food landscape.

Ashley St. Thomas, Arizona Food Bank Network

Ashley St. Thomas is the Director of Public Policy at the Arizona Food Bank Network (AzFBN), which has a mission to end hunger in Arizona through food banking, public policy, and innovative programming. She joined AzFBN in 2017 and has led numerous successful state and federal advocacy campaigns focused on making nutritious food accessible, affordable, and equitably available to all Arizonans. Most recently, in 2024, Ashley led AzFBN and a statewide coalition of child nutrition advocates to secure Arizona’s first-ever investment of state resources into school meals, specifically covering the cost of reduced-price school meal co-pays for families. Prior to joining AzFBN, Ashley worked on international food and water policy at Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability and the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, DC.

Jaclyn Chamberlain, MPH, RDN, CSP, Pinnacle Prevention

Jaclyn Chamberlain is the Director of Community Engagement with Pinnacle Prevention, an Arizona-based nonprofit dedicated to cultivating a just food system and opportunities for joyful movement. In this role she serves as a facilitator, leads training development and design, and guides trauma and resilience informed practice and system change. Jaclyn is a Registered Dietitian with extensive experience in public health and nutrition assistance programs. Jaclyn is deeply curious and inspired by community every day. 

Sarah Martinelli, MS, RDN, Arizona State University

Sarah Martinelli, MS, RDN, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Nutrition Program within the College of Health Solutions. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, School Nutrition Specialist, and a member of the ASU Food Policy and Environment Research Group. Her work focuses on food insecurity and food assistance programs, with particular emphasis on the National School Lunch Program. Her community-engaged work includes partnerships with a local nonprofit (Blue Watermelon Project) to connect chefs with schools and to build positive, inclusive communities around school meals. Together with colleagues ASU Food Policy and Environment Research Group, she also collaborated with the Arizona Food Bank Network to assess the costs and benefits of increasing access to school meals across Arizona. This research directly informed state policy, contributing to Arizona’s first-ever investment in covering the reduced-price school meal co-pay for families. Sarah also works with ASU’s Pitchfork Pantry, helping to lead the food security efforts on the West campus.

Please click the button below to register and receive the Zoom link. We hope to see you there!