Karen Gardner (she/her) leads advocacy for state and local policies that improve healthy food access through the food retail environment.

Prior experience

Prior to joining CSPI, Karen served as the Pennsylvania Manager for the National Young Farmers Coalition, leading the Coalition’s organizing and advocacy work in Pennsylvania. She also worked as a food policy research analyst for NYU and as a community wellness advocate for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. Karen earned an MA in Food Studies from New York University and a BA in Economics from Bard College.

Joined CSPI

Karen joined CSPI in April 2022.