Jenny is a Research Associate with the Food Lab. She received her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University at Buffalo in 2015. Her work in the Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab has assisted in building the capacity of Western New York organizations to be successful in creating healthier food systems by providing research, planning, design, and training assistance. She has conducted innovative research on the role of local government policy and planning in facilitating sustainable food systems and healthy communities in rural America as part of the federally-funded Growing Food Connections project.  Jenny also co-authored the Buffalo-Niagara’s first regional food systems plan dedicated to ensuring healthy food, viable farms, and a prosperous region. Prior to joining the Food Lab, Jenny served as the Program and Outreach Coordinator for Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo.

Jenny can be reached at jrwhitta@buffalo.edu.