16 | JULY 21 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY

T

ikkun olam has always resonated 
with Oran B. Hesterman.
The founder of Ann Arbor-based 
nonprofit Fair Food Network, which aims to 
grow community health and wealth through 
food, sees the Jewish concept of repairing 
the world as part of his civic duty.
“The foundation of the work I do on 
food justice and really paying attention to 
social service is part of my background of 
being Jewish,” says Hesterman, 70, of Ann 

Arbor. “I don’t take the command of tik-
kun olam lightly.”
That concept, he continues, has been a 
driving force throughout his entire profes-
sional life. “
All of us have to take responsi-
bility for repairing and healing the world 
as much as we can.”
Hesterman found he can repair the 
world through food. Launched in 2009, 
Fair Food Network has stayed true to its 
mission of recognizing that not everyone 

Fair Food Network 
repairs the world 
through food.

at a

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY 
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

One Meal
Time
Time

Through the Fair Food 
Network, Oran Hesterman 
works with vendors to 
help their businesses and 
provide food to those who 
need it.

FAIR FOOD NETWORK

