Meet Rachel Anne Murphy

We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Anne Murphy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel Anne, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose through a series of personal challenges and transformative experiences within my community. Growing up in Philadelphia, food was central to my life. As the daughter of an Italian deli owner, I learned early on how food connects people. My mom, who spent her childhood foraging dandelions for salads with her father, shared that knowledge with me, sparking an early love for wild foods and the environment. That connection to the land and to food became even more profound when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 19. Suddenly, I felt the urgency to address not only the health challenges I faced but also the injustices I saw in the systems around me—especially the healthcare and food systems that seemed designed to benefit a few while leaving many behind.

Navigating the healthcare system opened my eyes to the steep barriers people with chronic conditions face. I felt constantly trapped in an unending cycle of expensive treatments, medication side effects, and exhaustion. The lack of accessible care and the stress of navigating medical bills pushed me to think more deeply about the systemic issues we face. I knew I wanted to contribute to creating a world where people didn’t have to struggle like this, where systems worked for us instead of against us. This is what drove me to co-found MarchOnHarrisburg, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting corruption in Pennsylvania’s state government and expanding democracy. Organizing through MarchOnHarrisburg taught me the power of collective action. I developed my skills in design, communications, and grassroots organizing, finding fulfillment in empowering others to challenge and change oppressive systems.

Over the last seven years, I’ve worked with organizations and small businesses focused on combatting issues like systemic poverty, racism, and environmental destruction. This work allowed me to develop my voice as a communicator and designer and showed me that while fighting for change is essential, so is building the alternatives we need. I came to understand that a just and resilient society requires not only tearing down harmful systems but also constructing new ones based on community and sustainability. This belief has shaped my purpose and keeps me focused on creating impactful change through both advocacy and action.

Through managing my MS, I turned to a plant-based lifestyle, which transformed my health and deepened my commitment to food justice. I returned to school to study Community Health and Sustainable Food Systems, realizing that our food choices and systems play a crucial role in our personal and community well-being. Today, I am dedicated to creating sustainable food systems that connect us to the land and to each other. I host community-based plant-based potlucks and lead foraging walks to teach others about wild edibles and native plants, hoping to inspire people to reconnect with nature and develop a deeper understanding of our shared environment. The more I learn, the more committed I become to advocating for food justice and access, and I’m actively working with others to build sustainable systems that are grounded in local, resilient practices.

Ultimately, I found my purpose by embracing both the struggles and the opportunities that came my way. My diagnosis and experiences pushed me to seek solutions that support health, justice, and community. I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel empowered, informed, and connected. Whether it’s through grassroots organizing, sustainable food education, or community-building events, I’m committed to a vision of a just world where we can all thrive. This journey has shown me that purpose is both personal and collective, and it’s an ongoing commitment to building a better, more inclusive world for us all.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Rachel Anne (she/her), currently the Manager of Content and Communications at Food Forward, an LA-based nonprofit dedicated to building food security and creating generational health by rescuing surplus produce. Food Forward’s mission resonates with me deeply, especially as someone who’s lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) since age 19 and managed my health, in part, through diet and the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (OMS) program. Access to whole, fresh food is transformative, and at Food Forward, we’re doing more than addressing hunger; we’re bringing nutritious food to communities that need it most and ensuring people have access to food that nourishes bodies and supports long-term well-being. Growing up on free and reduced lunch, I know first-hand the importance of accessible, nutrient-rich food, and this role allows me to actively contribute to solutions around it every day.

In my role at Food Forward, I oversee storytelling efforts that amplify our mission and maximize our impact. We also tackle climate change by diverting produce from landfills, preventing the methane emissions that occur when organic waste decomposes in that environment. This role aligns with my background in both advocacy and sustainable agriculture, where I’ve learned how resilient food systems support both people and the planet. My recent experiences with Arizona Worm Farm and the Arizona Department of Agriculture, where I worked on agricultural resilience initiatives and social media strategies, deepened my commitment to reducing waste and strengthening local food systems. By connecting with people around food security and climate action, I create communications that resonate and inspire action across our community.

Beyond Food Forward, I also focus on food justice and sustainable food systems through my work as a Wild Edible Plant Educator. A few times a year, I host plant and fungi identification walks. From Lenape, O’odham, and Tongva Lands (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and California), I teach people the basics of respectful foraging and identifying local edible plants and fungi. Each class features over 15 species, both native and non-native, highlighting the abundance and connection to food available in our environment. Through these walks, we not only cultivate knowledge and connection but also raise funds—for mutual aid efforts that support local food access, community fridges, Food Not Bombs chapters, and cooperative farms. These events foster a love for local plants and help build a sense of community around shared values of health, sustainability, and resilience.

I also host community plant-based potlucks and hare foraging tips on social media, encouraging people to engage with food in new, sustainable ways. I’m grateful to be part of a larger movement to build sustainable food systems that serve communities and protect our environment. Looking forward, I’m excited to expand my efforts in food education through new projects and community events, so stay tuned, LA! Whether through my work at Food Forward, my foraging workshops, or my food justice initiatives, I’m driven by a commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable world where nutritious food is accessible and respected as a fundamental right.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities stand out as most impactful: resilience, clear communication, and a commitment to learning. Each of these has shaped my path and kept me moving forward, even through challenges. Resilience has been foundational, especially navigating life with Multiple Sclerosis from a young age. Finding ways to manage my health while pursuing my passions has taught me to stay focused, adapt to changing circumstances, and believe that my voice has value. Communication has been another key. Whether leading grassroots organizing efforts, creating educational content, or advocating for better food systems, I’ve learned the importance of crafting a message that resonates and motivates others toward shared goals. Finally, a commitment to learning has been my way of connecting to new skills, ideas, and people who expand my worldview. Learning about everything from sustainable food systems to public health to media strategy has equipped me to approach complex issues from multiple angles.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to speak up and remember that adults don’t always have the answers. While I’ve always respected my elders, I learned this lesson quickly after receiving opioids as the first treatment for MS from a neurologist, at the height of the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania. This experience revealed that even professionals aren’t immune to error or biases. Doctors, politicians, and others we’re taught to trust don’t always know what’s right, so it’s important to trust your own voice and challenge authority respectfully but confidently when needed. Finding like-minded people can make this easier; when you’re part of a supportive community, it becomes less intimidating to advocate for yourself and others.

Finally, be open to evolving. The issues we face in health, sustainability, and social justice are complex and constantly changing. Don’t hesitate to explore, pivot, and dive deep into what calls to you. The more you commit to learning and speaking out, the stronger you’ll feel in your own voice—and the bigger impact you’ll make.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

Reflecting on my journey, the people who were most influential in helping me overcome challenges and grow essential skills were my mentors from MarchOnHarrisburg. Each of them exemplified an unwavering commitment to growth, honesty, and a belief in organizing across lines of division to unite the working class—a mindset that has deeply shaped my approach to advocacy and community-building.

In particular, Emmie DiCicco, Rabbi Michael Pollack, and Xelba Guittierrez have shaped my path through their commitment to both social justice and personal growth. Emmie, now working on the Food Assistance team at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, brought a deeply personal motivation to her work. Raised by two Philly teachers alongside her four siblings, she experienced food insecurity firsthand, which drives her conviction that food is more than just sustenance—it’s culture, memory, and a tool for healing. Her grounded approach to ending hunger and poverty continually reminds me of the importance of honoring people’s lived experiences in any advocacy work.

Rabbi Michael Pollack, who still leads MarchOnHarrisburg, embodies a profound dedication to justice, choosing activism over a traditional pulpit to challenge systemic corruption in Pennsylvania. His love of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel rubbed off on me, and I respect his fierce commitment to integrity. Michael’s leadership style—directly confronting injustice and the powers that be—taught me that standing firm in one’s values can be transformative for entire communities.

Then there’s Xelba Guittierrez, who works at the Audre Lorde Center, made of fierce indignation and gentle compassion. Her focus on addressing issues holistically, inclusively and honoring our human-ness has been inspiring and invaluable. Xelba’s willingness to work to bring multiple perspectives into every conversation reinforces my belief in the power of intersectionality for creating long-term change.

Each of these mentors has not only been instrumental in my own growth but has shown me that working together—open to feedback and committed to evolving—is essential to making a real impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rachel-anne.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms_forager
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-anne-murphy-93a3b9139/