Get to Know Jordan Smith

Bloomberg Fellow Jordan Smith currently serves as the ʻAiaola Food Is Medicine Program Manager at Hawai‘i Good Food Alliance where she works to drive policy and systems change to ensure that all of the people of Hawai‘i—especially Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and historically marginalized communities—have access to nourishing, locally grown food.

We sat down with her to learn more about her journey to public health, her suggestions for stronger integrations of cultural practices in health care, and much more:

What brought you to your work at the Hawai’i Good Food Alliance?

My journey to this work has been shaped by both my personal history and professional experiences. Raised between Missouri and Hawaiʻi, I have been inspired by the resilience of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, as well as my great-grandfather Owen Whitfield’s legacy in civil and human rights. 

After earning my degree in International Health from Georgetown University, I knew I wanted to focus my career on advancing food justice and health equity. Moving back to Hawai‘i in 2018 was a pivotal moment for me, and I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to learn from and work alongside communities that have taught me so much about resilience, self-determination, and the power of collective care. 

I believe deeply in mālama ʻāina, or caring for the land, and I strive to build meaningful partnerships that bridge healthcare and food security. By collaborating with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and local food producers, I work to develop programs that recognize food as medicine and uplift Indigenous knowledge as a guiding force in our solutions. I am honored to continue this work in service of a more just and nourishing future for all.

What project have you worked on recently, and what impact have they had on your community?

One project I’m especially proud of is our work with the Growing Justice Fund, where we’re investing in food hubs that support Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and immigrant farmers. Through deep community listening and partnership, we’re expanding a locally sourced Food is Medicine marketplace under Hawai‘i’s 2025-2029 Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Waiver. This initiative is an exciting step forward in creating sustainable markets for small farmers while ensuring communities have access to culturally significant, nutrient-dense foods. 

At the Hawai‘i Good Food Alliance, we believe that food is more than just sustenance—it connects people to their identities, cultures, and well-being. Our work on this project is deeply rooted in our core principles of cultural grounding, equity, and mālama ʻāina. With Hawai‘i becoming the first state to integrate locally sourced nutrition support services—like medically tailored meals, pantry restocking, and produce prescriptions—into its Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Waiver, we have a unique opportunity to reshape the food system at a structural level. This means not only strengthening the local food economy but also ensuring that those who have historically faced food insecurity can access fresh, nourishing meals. 

By supporting local food hubs and small-scale producers in overcoming barriers to institutional procurement, we’re laying the foundation for a resilient, community-centered food system that will serve Hawai‘i for generations to come.

You work in a community with an extremely rich cultural history. What strategies have you found are most helpful in engaging with your community in a culturally relevant way?

One of the most important strategies I’ve found in engaging with the community in a culturally relevant way is first knowing my own history, kuleana (responsibility), and purpose before stepping into any space. You can only truly understand where you're going if you know where you're coming from. Doing the deep internal work—reflecting on my own roots, values, and motivations—has helped me approach community engagement with humility and intention. It’s about entering spaces with respect, acknowledging the depth of knowledge already present, and being mindful of my role in supporting—not leading—the work that communities have long been doing.

Beyond that, the best approach I’ve learned is to first ask, then close my mouth and listen. Engaging in a culturally relevant way isn’t about assuming what’s needed—it’s about seeking guidance from those who have been stewarding their communities for generations. This process isn’t always quick or easy, but it’s essential.

How do you think public health and cultural practices can overlap more effectively?

Public health and cultural practices can overlap more effectively when Indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions are recognized as equally valuable sources of evidence and wisdom—not as an "alternative" to Western public health, but as an integral part of it. For too long, Indigenous ways of knowing have been pushed to the margins, even though they have guided community well-being for centuries. 

Instead of treating cultural practices as an "extra" layer to mainstream health approaches, we need to acknowledge that they have always been at the foundation of holistic care. Public health should be built on the understanding that wellness is deeply tied to land, food, community, and ancestral knowledge—elements that many Indigenous cultures have long recognized as essential to thriving.

When we center community and cultural wisdom in public health, we create systems that are not only more effective but also more just, sustainable, and rooted in the lived experiences of the people they aim to serve.
 

How has being a Bloomberg Fellow impacted your work?

Being a Bloomberg Fellow has truly been a life changing experience, and what I love most about it is the people. Living in Hawaiʻi—a place of incredible beauty, culture, and history—has been an honor and privilege, but it can also feel isolating at times, given its remoteness. The Fellowship has given me the opportunity to connect with an incredible network of leaders at the local, state, and national levels who are all deeply committed to food systems, health, and equity. These relationships have not only expanded my professional network but have also challenged me to think differently, push boundaries, and reflect on what it really takes to create a fair and just food system.

What are your hopes for the future of food in Hawai’i and for yourself?

In the future, I hope to continue being a bridge builder—someone who connects people, ideas, and resources to create lasting change in our food systems and communities. I believe that the answer is rarely a hard “no,” but more often a “not yet,” meaning that with persistence, collaboration, and creativity, progress is always possible. My goal is to help break down barriers that prevent communities from accessing nourishing, culturally relevant food and to support policies and programs that make food sovereignty and health equity a reality. By staying rooted in community and honoring Indigenous knowledge, I want to ensure that solutions are not just effective but also deeply aligned with the values and wisdom of the people they serve.

More than anything, I hope to leave a legacy of collaboration and resilience, ensuring that the next generation has a stronger, more just food system to inherit.