Juan Escareno
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Leads a charitable loan fund in the U.S. focused on farmers and resilience. Pot Liker Capital
Field Director
Juan Escareño has been involved in all aspects of the food retail industry throughout his life. Beginning with his parent’s ethnic grocery stores in the western suburbs of Chicago and then as a community organizer for the Gamaliel Network. He began organizing on the Southside of Chicago before moving to Detroit over 16 years ago. Juan worked to create a non-profit produce store on the eastside of Detroit to serve residents living in food deserts. He joined the UFCW Local 876 as an organizer for retail workers, eventually becoming an executive vice president. Three years ago, Juan joined the Midwest Independent Retailers Association (MIRA) as the government and community relations director. Juan was appointed to Michigan Governor Whitmer’s Food Security Council in 2020.