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 has thirty years of experience working as a social and food justice advocate. A former chef, a bridge builder and network weaver, Ali sees society's most pressing issues through a food systems lens. She dedicated her career to advancing equity and transformation within the food system through her work as co-founder of Savory Thymes in Marin County, California and most recently as founder of The Foodshed Network (TFN), a nonprofit organization based in Fairfield County, Connecticut. 

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 on the Connecticut Food Sovereignty Collective Steering Committee, CT Farm to School Collaborative Policy Action Team 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's Advisory Board and Production Circle and the National Right to Food Community of Practice Narrative Change Working Group. For more information about TFN's affiliated networks, see here.


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