Inside Change Food for Good with Founder Sam Lemfadli
Food insecurity, workforce development, climate resilience, and technology are often discussed as separate challenges. Change Food for Good, a New York City–based nonprofit, is proving they don’t have to be.
In episode 79 of the Agri-Tourist Podcast, I sat down with Sam Lemfadli, CEO and Founder of Change Food for Good, to discuss how lived experience, urban agriculture, and accessible technology can come together to build more resilient local food systems—especially in communities that need them most.
What emerged was a powerful story of purpose, persistence, and innovation at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and food justice.
From Brooklyn to Building Food System Resilience
Samia Lemfadli—known simply as Sam—was born and raised in Brooklyn and grew up experiencing food insecurity firsthand. Those early experiences shaped her understanding of how deeply access to food, employment, and opportunity are intertwined.
“From a young age, I was taught to look for self-sufficiency systems—ways to embed more agency and ownership into the work you’re doing.”
That mindset was deeply influenced by her mother, who immigrated to the U.S. from Morocco and emphasized independence, resilience, and self-determination—even in the face of hardship.
This foundation eventually led Sam to a simple but powerful question:
Could people sustainably grow food for themselves and their communities—even in dense urban environments like New York City?
Discovering Hydroponics and the Power of Urban Agriculture
That question led Sam to hydroponics and soilless growing systems—methods that allow food to be grown in small spaces without traditional land access.
For cities facing limited green space, rising food costs, and climate stress, hydroponics offered a solution that was:
- Space-efficient
- Climate-resilient
- Scalable
- Community-driven
This discovery became the seed for what would eventually grow into Change Food for Good.
A Nontraditional Path to Leadership in Agri-Tech
Sam’s journey didn’t follow a straight line.
She graduated high school early at 16, entered the workforce immediately, and spent years in food service, retail, and customer service roles. She later dropped out of college to pursue financial independence—before eventually enrolling in a free workforce development bootcamp through Per Scholas and General Assembly.
There, Sam learned to code—starting from complete digital illiteracy.
“That experience changed everything. I realized technology wasn’t as intimidating as I thought—and that these tools could be placed directly into the hands of people on the front lines of food insecurity.”
This realization reshaped her vision: What if workforce training, agriculture, and technology were taught together?
Founding Change Food for Good
After years of volunteering at community gardens, interning with nonprofits, and learning directly from mentors in the workforce development space, Sam officially launched Change Food for Good while working at The Knowledge House—an organization that would become one of her most important long-term partners.
Today, Change Food for Good operates across New York City with a clear mission:
To build sustainable, community-owned food systems by combining agriculture, technology, and workforce development.
The Four Core Programs of Change Food for Good
1. Free Agri-Tech Job Training Programs
At the heart of the organization is Intro to Ag Tech, a free workforce training program for NYC residents ages 18–24 who are:
- Out of school
- Out of work
- Or earning under $45,000 annually
Participants receive 150+ hours of hands-on training over 8–10 weeks, learning to:
- Design, build, and maintain hydroponic farm systems
- Understand food security and climate resilience
- Learn basic coding (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Build a plant API project
- Earn OSHA certification
- Develop carpentry and construction skills
Each cohort builds a real farm system for a community garden, school, or nonprofit—and all food grown is distributed free of charge.
📈 Impact Snapshot:
- 80% job retention beyond 6 months
- Average post-program wages: $26/hour
- Graduates leave with portfolios, case studies, and paid internships
2. Community Farm Development
Change Food for Good works directly with schools, community organizations, and gardens to install low-cost or free food systems.
Programs like Ag Tech 101 introduce students and communities to localized food production while strengthening long-term infrastructure for food access.
They also host free hydroponics workshops and provide at-home growing kits—making food production accessible beyond institutional settings.
3. Accessible Technology Solutions for Food Systems
Technology is treated as a tool—not a barrier.
Students learn how to apply tech in agriculture through:
- Farm sensors and data tools
- Drone use for agricultural surveys
- Web development for food justice organizations
During internships, participants provide free web development services to farmers and nonprofits who lack technical capacity—helping them build websites, improve digital presence, and expand impact.
Past partners include:
- Brooklyn Supported Agriculture
- Vertical Gardens Kenya LTD
- Emerging mushroom and urban farming ventures
4. Good Food for All: Free Food Vending Machines
One of the organization’s most innovative projects is the Good Food for All Free Food Vending Machine, launched in the Bronx with support from the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation.
These refrigerated vending machines:
- Dispense fresh food completely free
- Require no income verification
- Track inventory digitally
- Reduce stigma around food access
“It feels no different than getting candy from a vending machine—except it’s eggs, produce, and healthy food.”
The pilot location at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club has shown strong community engagement, and the model has potential to scale into schools, shelters, and community centers nationwide.
Measuring Success Beyond Numbers
While metrics matter, Sam measures success through agency and ownership.
Every program begins by asking:
- What food system does this community want?
- What skills do these participants need?
- What gaps exist right now?
That philosophy has led to deeply personal success stories—from graduates entering tech careers to students applying ag-tech skills in unexpected industries.
“It’s not just about delivering a service—it’s about giving people real choice.”
Funding, Challenges, and the Road Ahead
Change Food for Good is funded through a diversified mix of:
- Philanthropic foundations
- Government grants
- Program contracts
- Growing individual donations
Looking toward 2026, Sam’s priorities include:
- Stabilizing and scaling the Good Food for All project
- Expanding digital and gamified learning modules
- Strengthening long-term fundraising sustainability
How You Can Support Change Food for Good
Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, funder, or community advocate, there are many ways to support this work:
- Partner with the organization
- Fund workforce training or food access initiatives
- Share their programs within your network
- Advocate for innovative food policy solutions
Final Thoughts
Change Food for Good is redefining what sustainable agriculture looks like in urban America—by centering people, dignity, and access at every step.
Sam’s organization is providing access in a whole different way—and the technology is integrated. She has a real proof of concept.
And for cities everywhere grappling with food insecurity and climate change, that proof couldn’t come at a more critical time.
Want to learn more about Change Food for Good or hear the full podcast interview? Stay connected through the Agri-Tourist Podcast and follow the organization’s work across New York City and beyond.
