Debra Eschmeyer, FoodCorps co-founder and Program Director for Policy and Partnerships, has been named one of the 10 initial recipients of the inaugural James Beard Foundation Leadership Award.  The award recognizes individuals making great strides in creating “a healthier, safer, and more sustainable food world.”

Debra is being recognized for her innovative work “addressing the issues of childhood obesity and diet-related disease through school lunch programs with the National Farm to School Network and her leadership of FoodCorps’ innovative programming.”

The award also recognizes such visionaries as Will Allen, Fedele Bauccio, Sheri Flies, Jan Kees Vis, Fred Kirschenmann, First Lady Michelle Obama, Janet Poppendieck, Alice Waters, and Craig Watson. They willl be honored on October 12 at a ceremony during the second annual James Beard Foundation Food Conference.

Read the full press release.