
Cinnamon Sanchez
Cinnamon Sanchez is an innovative agricultural leader with over a decade of experience in the food industry and a few years in advancing sustainable farming practices and supporting urban communities. As the Farm Operations Manager of Just Roots Chicago and the Co founder of Arcoiris Alliance, Cinnamon has pioneered initiatives that streamline operations to improve crop yields while reducing environmental impact, integrating ancestral technology with traditional farming methods to benefit both the land and the people who rely on it. A passionate advocate for the future of urban agriculture, Cinnamon has spearheaded projects such as the It Takes a Village Community Farm and Ada S McKinley urban garden pilot, directly benefiting local farmers and promoting food justice combating food apartheid in the region. Under their operational leadership, Just Roots has expanded its outreach to support young farmers through mentorship programs and has been a driving force behind advocating for urban farmers within the federal farm bill in the US. Cinnamon is an advocate for protecting climate change provisions and fighting to secure the funding for the supplemental nutrition assistance program. In addition to their work in the field, Cinnamon is actively involved in the wider food industry community, serving as chef and vegan consultant and contributing to supporting folks in their community adopt a more holistic and healthy lifestyle and relationship to food. They have been recognized for the LEAFS fellowship by Mercy for Animals and are known for their forward-thinking approach and dedication to building a resilient community centered food supply chain. With a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, Cinnamon envisions an agricultural sector that not only meets the demands of today’s world but also safeguards resources for generations to come, centering the most marginalized folks of our societies. They continue to lead by example, inspiring others to embrace new technologies, sustainable practices, and collaborative solutions for a thriving agricultural ecosystem.