Purple Riceberry - Fon Spaulding and Nina Vichaypai

If ancestral values led the exchange, care and equity would be inherent to our food system

Fon Spaulding, owner of Kati Vegan Thai, tells the story of her relationship to Purple Riceberry. She stresses the importance of equitable supply chain models that support small, traditional farms in her home country, Thailand. While Fon imports the cultural ingredients necessary in her restaurant like purple riceberry, she also sources as many ingredients as she can from local, sustainable farms in the Pacific Northwest.

Thai-American artist, Nina Vichaypai further illustrates the importance of Rice in Thai culture. She embroidered "Gin Khao Rue Yang", which translates to "Have you eaten Rice Yet?", in the top right corner of this quilt square. She explained to us that this phrase is commonly used as a greeting. If someone says no, the community will offer them food. Fon and Nina represent how rooting in culture when feeding others inherently embodies care. Building these practices into our supply chain while importing our diverse ingredients is a way to center equality in our cuisines.