Jessica Almy, J.D.
INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Jessica partners with the U.S. leadership team to drive progress toward a sustainable, secure, and just food future. She ensures we are delivering on our mission while cultivating an inclusive, equitable workplace where every team member can thrive.
Areas of expertise: strategic plan implementation, program leadership, public policy.
Jessica previously led GFI’s Policy and Government Relations department, where she shaped a forward-looking policy agenda to advance alternative proteins. Under her leadership, the Washington, D.C.-based team of lawyers, lobbyists, and analysts leveraged legislation, regulation, litigation, and international engagement to secure public funding and build a level playing field for alternative proteins.
Before joining GFI in 2017, Jessica worked at the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the law firm Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, using law and policy to advance the public interest. She holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law and an M.S. in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University.
Video
Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says a ban on vegan food using “meat” on labels protects consumers: “Call it what it is.”
— CNN (@CNN) July 27, 2019
But The Good Food Institute’s Jessica Almy says it’s an “absurd law,” adding “producers are afraid of the new competition.” pic.twitter.com/TevFoq7Kq6
Around the web
Don’t like veggie burgers? Fine, but don’t censor them
Jessica Almy argues that label censorship bills are ultimately aimed at reducing competition. Instead, lawmakers should focus their effort on ensuring a level playing field.
From almond milk to veggie burgers, does anyone really have trouble knowing what these products are?
GFI’s Director of Policy Jessica Almy teams up with R Street Fellow Shoshana Weissmann to lay out the case against protectionist and unconstitutional governmental censorship of product labels.
How the United States can remain a world leader in agriculture
Jessica Almy explores cultivated meat’s emerging role in the ongoing agricultural revolution and illustrates how the United States can stay at the cutting edge of innovation.
Opinion: The meat industry wants to censor your veggie burger
GFI’s Jessica Almy and the American Civil Liberties Union’s Brian Hauss argue the plant-based meat label censorship is unconstitutional.
What can fight climate change and antibiotic resistance? More sustainable meat
The United States government has a long history of solving problems and creating entire fields. Now, the government must support better ways of making meat.
Do we need the government to tell us that almond milk doesn’t come from a cow?
GFI Director of Policy Jessica Almy explains why veggie burgers and rice noodles should be legal.
Featured blogs
2018 was historic for good food policy. Let’s make 2019 even better
GFI Policy Director Jessica Almy discusses pivotal developments in plant-based and cell-based meat regulation, illuminates key work by the GFI policy team along the way, and lays out what still…
Leveling the playing field: A new approach
If the government bans meat and milk terms on labels for plant-based and cell-based products, it should apply the same linguistic approach throughout the supply chain for all foods and…
States attempt to criminalize using “meat” on cell-based meat labels
Lawmakers are pushing bills that would throw people in jail for putting the word “meat” or similar terms on the label. It’s a bad move for so many reasons.
Clean meat companies are committed to transparency
We partnered with BlueNalu, Mosa Meat, Seafuture, and SuperMeat to share our thoughts on clean meat regulation with the FDA.
Consumers not confused about ingredients used to make plant-based milks
GFI’s new poll shows the courts are right – consumers buying soymilk and almond milk are not confused. They know what they are buying.
