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About us

Food is culture. As the most universal aspect of human existence, it is a powerful lens for understanding ourselves, each other, and the world around us. MOFAD is a new kind of museum that uses this power to create cultural change towards a more thoughtful, equitable, and delicious future. MOFAD brings the world of food and drink to life with exhibits you can taste, touch, and smell. We are the world’s premier food museum and a global educational resource that inspires generations of curious eaters of all ages and backgrounds.

Join the effort by donating, becoming a member, or volunteering.

Our beliefs

Information

Information is power. Informed eaters make better food choices for themselves, their community, and the environment.

Information

Information is power. Informed eaters make better food choices for themselves, their community, and the environment.

Storytelling

Storytelling contributes to the preservation of disappearing regional cuisines and culinary arts.

Storytelling

Storytelling contributes to the preservation of disappearing regional cuisines and culinary arts.

Curiosity

Curiosity about where your food comes from leads to curiosity about the world around you.

Curiosity

Curiosity about where your food comes from leads to curiosity about the world around you.

Innovation

Innovation will lead to solutions to the food challenges of the 21st century.

Innovation

Innovation will lead to solutions to the food challenges of the 21st century.

Connection

Information is power. Informed eaters make better food choices for themselves, their community, and the environment.

Connection

Information is power. Informed eaters make better food choices for themselves, their community, and the environment.

Our Values

Food is culture

It is more than simply what is on our plates: it is a common denominator of human relationships.

Food is culture

It is more than simply what is on our plates: it is a common denominator of human relationships.

Food is personal

People should be approached with a non-judgmental attitude about their diet.

Food is personal

People should be approached with a non-judgmental attitude about their diet.

Everyone eats

People of all ages and backgrounds, from picky and apathetic eaters to gastronomes and food lovers, should care about food.

Everyone eats

People of all ages and backgrounds, from picky and apathetic eaters to gastronomes and food lovers, should care about food.

Food is participatory

To best learn about food, you must taste, smell, and think

Food is participatory

To best learn about food, you must taste, smell, and think

Informed eaters are better eaters

They make better choices for their taste buds, health, community, and environment.

Informed eaters are better eaters

They make better choices for their taste buds, health, community, and environment.

Food is fun

A positive, non-fear-based outlook is the best way to approach food education.

Food is fun

A positive, non-fear-based outlook is the best way to approach food education.

Meet the team

Nazli Parvizi

President

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Catherine Piccoli

Curational Director

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Jessica Messina

Executive Team Administrator

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Bernadette Cura

Operations Manager

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Jessica Ann Vaughn

Curatorial Fellow

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Ryan Cioffi

Educator

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Jessie Wesley

Educator

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Debbie Pressman

Comms & PR

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Meet the Trustees

Dave Arnold

Founder

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Ficus Kirkpatrick

Trustee

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Sudip Mukherjee

Trustee

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Jessamyn Rodriguez

Trustee

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William Wachtel

Trustee

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Meet our VOLUNTEERS

Navdeep Kaur

Kyra James

Rae Linefsky

Piper Martz

Diane Schutz

Sal Siddiqui

Una Zhang

Meri Haitkin

Matthew Poon

Gabrielle Davis

James Foxworth

Ruby Solano Lapid

Elly Honaker

Dean Siegal

Claiborne Milde

Mui Ying Kwan

Sophie Warth

Jewelle Trotman

Voluteer for us

MOFAD relies on the support of volunteers. We are grateful for their donation of time and resources. If you would like to join MOFAD as a volunteer, please fill out our volunteer form and let us know how you would like to help.

Find out more

MOFAD Supporters

MOFAD is grateful to the numerous individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies and elected officials who have supported our organization since we first launched in 2013. Here we highlight those who have helped through the years to bring MOFAD to where it is today.

Foundation Support

Goverment Support

Additional generous support provided by Bridgeman Charitable Group, Kitchings Family Foundation, Pinkerton Foundation, Solid Starts, Viacom, Stairway Fund, and MOFAD’s Board of Directors.

Visitors can take photos at the photo wall at MOFAD, made possible by Showtime Photo Booth. With 27 unique photo solutions since 2013, they are the premier choice for photo booth rental in Los Angeles. Thank you, Showtime Photo Booth, for providing the photo opportunity and we look forward to continuing our relationship.