Davenia Dennis

YCP Spring 2025

"My mission is to empower communities to reclaim control over their food systems by promoting food sovereignty, supporting sustainable and culturally rooted agricultural practices, and fostering local resilience. We strive to create a just and equitable food future where all people have the right to healthy, accessible, and locally produced food grown with respect for the earth and each other."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
207 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

organic meal

consumed
UP TO

0.3

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

1.0

zero-waste meal

consumed
UP TO

2.0

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

2.0

miles

traveled by foot
UP TO

13

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

17

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

10

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

370

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

90

minutes

spent learning

Davenia's actions

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Weekly Meal Planning

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 20-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Nature

Practice Gratitude for Earth

I will spend 30 minute(s) per day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and my natural surroundings.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Zero-Waste Cooking

I will cook 3 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Walk Instead

I will walk 1 mile(s) each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How does food sovereignty address the complex transition from localized food systems to modern global food systems?
Davenia Dennis 4/22/2025 7:14 PM
Food sovereignty emphasizes the right of people and communities to define their own food systems, putting control back in the hands of local farmers and consumers. It challenges the global food system’s focus on mass production and export by prioritizing local knowledge, sustainable practices, and culturally appropriate foods. In the face of industrial agriculture and corporate control, food sovereignty offers a path to reclaim power, rebuild resilient local economies, and ensure fair access to land, seeds, and markets.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Does this statistic describe your own transportation habits? If so, how might you incorporate more muscle-powered transportation in your daily life?
Davenia Dennis 4/22/2025 7:11 PM
That stat really puts things in perspective so many short trips could be walked or biked instead. If it does reflect your habits, swapping even a couple car rides a week for walking, biking, or scootering could make a big difference for your health and the planet. Starting with errands close to home or weekend outings is an easy way to build muscle-powered movement into your routine.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

Kathleen Dean Moore says that a sense of gratitude leads to a sense of moral obligation. Do you agree? How can we cultivate a sense of gratitude as individuals, and as a society?
Davenia Dennis 4/22/2025 7:09 PM
I do agree when you truly feel grateful for something, you naturally want to protect and care for it. As individuals, we can cultivate gratitude by slowing down, noticing the everyday things we take for granted—like clean water, food, or nature and expressing thanks regularly. As a society, we can build gratitude through education, storytelling, and community rituals that remind us of our shared gifts and responsibilities.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

In North America, up to 65% of food waste happens at the consumer level. Chef Steven Satterfield advocates for using every part of a vegetable. How can you incorporate using an entire vegetable (including the skins, tops, stalks, etc.) during your next meal prep?
Davenia Dennis 4/22/2025 7:08 PM
You can reduce food waste by using the whole vegetable like turning carrot tops into pesto or slicing broccoli stalks for stir-fries. Even potato skins can be roasted into a crispy snack, and onion skins or herb stems are perfect for homemade broth. Thinking of scraps as ingredients, not waste, makes your meals more sustainable and creative.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four in the US spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Does this surprise you? Where would you rather use this money?
Davenia Dennis 4/22/2025 7:07 PM
Yeah, that is surprising and honestly, kind of wild when you think about it. That’s like tossing out a cart full of groceries every month and setting $125 on fire. Personally, I’d much rather put that money toward something fun or meaningful like a weekend trip, saving for a cool project, or just eating out at a really good restaurant without the guilt.
How about you—what would you do with an extra $1,500?

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Many people say that “you can’t feed the world with just organic food.” How would you respond to that statement?
Davenia Dennis 4/22/2025 6:36 AM
Organic farming is more sustainable and better for the environment, but it often has lower yields and higher costs, making it harder to scale globally. While some say we can’t feed the world organically, the real issue is often food waste and unequal distribution, not just production. With better technology and smarter systems, a more organic future could be possible—but it’ll take big changes.

Read More
- Angel Blanco (102) 4/22/2025 8:13 AM
  Yeah I agree. The technology goes a long way.
  
  Read More