About Us

“Ubuntu” means ‘I am because we are.’

Our Mission: 

Ubuntu Food Security exists to empower clients to become food secure, nutrition literate, and self-sufficient by providing wraparound services that support their stability and resilience in the fight against poverty.

Ubuntu Food Security was founded by Deborah Johnson, a Plant-Based Community Nutritionist and advocate for food justice. After years of working with families across New York City and Westchester County, Deborah saw firsthand the need to address the growing issues of food insecurity, culturally relevant nutrition education, community gardens, and programs that celebrate the healing power of food.

Ubuntu means “I am because we are,” a reflection of our shared humanity and the belief that everyone deserves access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally relevant food. Our organization was created to address the growing issues of food insecurity and inequitable food access affecting families in communities of color across Westchester County and New York City.

Through the lens of nutrition education, food justice, and community empowerment, Ubuntu Food Security works to close the gap between knowledge and access. We bring together families, educators, and local partners to:

  • Build community gardens that grow fresh produce right where people live and learn.

  • Deliver trauma-informed nutrition education, helping families make healthy choices on a budget.

  • Provide hands-on cooking programs that celebrate culture and connection.

  • Advocate for policy and systems change that expands access to affordable, whole-food, plant-based options.

At Ubuntu, we believe food is more than fuel — it’s a pathway to healing, equity, and community resilience. By teaching families how to grow, prepare, and share healthy meals, we’re helping to create lasting change from the ground up.

  • Our Vision: A world where every community thrives through equitable food access.

  • Our Values:

    • Unity: We rise together.

    • Education: Knowledge empowers lasting change.

    • Access: Everyone deserves healthy food. Food is a human right.

    • Sustainability: We honor the earth that feeds us.