Savory Thymes was a philanthropic initiative, co-founded by myself and Hans Schoepflin, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Founder of the Panta Rhea Foundation. Savory Thymes provided fully supported; thoughtfully designed events, for artists and grass-roots social and environmental justice organizations. At each event, activists, artists, enthusiasts, leaders and philanthropists convened within the inspirational landscape of Hillside Gardens and Apiary, and cross-pollinated ideas, built alliances and leveraged resources. Beauty, abundance, generosity, inclusivity and deep care for community, and the earth, were at the heart of our shared values. 

For over 13 years, as Hans' chef and orchestrator of Savory Thymes, I immersed myself in the Bay Area food culture. Through my work, I cultivated relationships with the growers, producers and artisans that provided food for our events. Savory Thymes’ culinary success is due to the abundant varieties, breeds, and flavors of the food purchased from the farmers market.

My relationships with the farmers, producers and the communities that Savory Thymes supported, influenced my lasting advocacy for food justice and the importance of fostering regional foodsheds. 

Savory Thymes is the foundation of my work today.

SAVORY THYMES IN MILL VALLEY 

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About
SAVORY THYMES

Ali Ghiorse is a bridge-builder and network weaver with over thirty years as a social and food justice advocate. A former chef, Ali sees society's most pressing issues through a food systems lens. She dedicated her career to helping advance transformation within the food system through her work as co-founder of Savory Thymes in Marin County, CA and most recently as founder of The Foodshed Network (TFN), based in Fairfield County, CT. Ali studied psychology at Mills College and the culinary arts at the Natural Gourmet Cookery School in Manhattan.

Upon moving back to Greenwich, CT after living in the Bay Area for 24 years, she noticed that the food systems sector was not contextually understood or adequately represented, and a bridge-building entity for communities was missing. She established TFN in 2020, to meet the need for stronger connectivity, to provide space for education and advocacy, and to amplify the many values based, grassroots, community led initiatives in Greenwich and throughout Fairfield County.

Alongside her work for TFN, Ali serves on the Greenwich Sustainability Committee as the Food Systems-Sector Co-Chair, as a member of the Greenwich Community Garden Advisory Board, Waste Free Greenwich Advisory Board and as a member of the Representative Town Meeting. Statewide, Ali participates in initiatives such as Stamford Food Collaborative, Connecticut Food Justice Network, CT Farm to School Collaborative and the School Meals 4 All Coalition. Regionally and nationally: Food Solutions New England's Food System Comms Community of Practice, the North American Food System Network Production Circle and the National Right to Food Community of Practice. For more information about TFN's affiliated networks, see here.


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