I give for 
a sustainable planet

Sara Dickerman and Andrew Shuman

Hunting for the perfect green bean at the Santa Monica farmers market became much more than a simple errand for Sara Dickerman.

As a cook at an LA restaurant, Dickerman would scour the market stalls for the best ingredients. Chatting with local growers and sampling their fresh produce helped shape her belief in the importance of our food system — which became a guiding principle in her career and her philanthropy.

“It’s about the future,” says Dickerman, now an award-winning food writer in Seattle. “How will we feed the public if we’re no longer able to fish, or if agriculture is more difficult, because of the changing climate?”

Becoming a mother really brought home the dire threat that climate change poses to future generations — and the need to invest in those working to solve our planet’s problems. Even though they’re not UW alumni, Dickerman and her husband, Andrew Shuman, give to the College of the Environment, supporting crucial research and scholarships so that students of all backgrounds can lead the charge on finding solutions.

“Anytime I take another look at what’s going on at the College of the Environment, I feel invigorated and excited about what’s being explored,” says Dickerman. “Investing in the study of the environment is an investment in the future for all of us.”

Through her philanthropy and her work — including her latest book, “Secrets of Great Second Meals: Flexible Modern Recipes That Value Time and Limit Waste” — Dickerman helps people minimize their environmental impact and find delight in the process. “My goal,” she says, “is to always try to do the right thing, but try to do the right thing with pleasure.”