From April 7 to April 27, Food Solutions New England (FSNE) hosted the annual 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge. FSNE is a regional network spanning six states and is supported and coordinated by the University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute. FSNE focuses on uniting the food system community to promote empowerment and equity, as well as achieve New England Food Vision goals. Over the next several years, the organization is focusing on four overlapping impact areas (shown in the image below).
The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge (REC) is an annual event hosted by FSNE, and aims to raise awareness, shift mindsets, and address or inform on institutional racism and white supremacist structures. Registration for the REC is free, and there are hundreds to thousands of individuals and organizations that participate each year. Spanish translations for the daily prompts or email communication from FSNE are also provided, courtesy of Frontline Farming.
For the duration of the challenge, participants were sent prompts from FSNE by email each weekday of the challenge, and were encouraged to reflect and communicate with other challenge participants on the weekends. Prompts contained resources for participants to explore, questions to consider and respond to, and ways participants can act and join the cause. Additional materials were also provided daily, including books and journal articles, for participants to deepen their understanding if time allowed.
Each week of the challenge had a different theme, from “Shifting from Me to We” to “Advancing Nutrition Equity.” In addition to communicating with friends and peers, FSNE provides monitored online forums for fellow participants to discuss the daily or weekly topics. They also encourage spreading the word on social media using #FSNEEquityChallenge.
As an annual event, the 2026 REC will occur next spring. Registration is free, and all are welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information about the REC or other FSNE initiatives, contact Food Solutions New England.
