Rita Mary Hennigan is a co-director with UpRoot Colorado. This nonprofit organization increases the nutrition security of Coloradans by harvesting and redistributing surplus, nutrient-dense food while supporting the resilience of farmers in our state. Rita oversees UpRoot’s work along the Western Slope, where she has spent most of her time since 2016. She is passionate about helping to create a more just food system that contributes to people’s and the environment’s health. Her deep appreciation for farmers and food stems partly from her experiences working on farms in urban and rural areas. She has also worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA and in other capacities for nonprofit organizations aiming to increase equity in food access. Rita holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College and a Sustainability Certificate from Babson, Olin, and Wellesley Colleges. Rita is a 2023 Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) Fellow. In her free time, Rita enjoys hiking in the magnificent mountains around her, reading, spending time with as many dogs as she can, and delighting in cooking, eating, and all things food.
