Whoever said “Never Meet Your Heroes,” Never Met Stephen Ritz 🌟

You know you’re in the right place when your path crosses with someone who inspires and energizes everyone in the room. And whoever said, “Never meet your heroes,” never had the privilege of meeting Stephen Ritz.

I’m beyond grateful for the time Stephen, Lizette B. Ritz, and I spent together yesterday, diving into meaningful conversations about topics ranging from curriculum development to impactful content creation.

And what better setting for our meeting than Plant Based Mafia in Florida—a place where “We Don’t Whack Animals, We Whack Plants!”🌱

Oh, and their eggplant parm hoagie? Let’s just say it’s got the seal of approval from these Bronx and Jersey natives alike. 😋

Our time was filled with purpose and possibility as we discussed our shared vision of building healthier children and communities through inspired education and access to improved local food systems. From the Macieverse to the Green Bronx Machine, the opportunities ahead are as exciting as they are meaningful.

Stephen, thank you for your relentless passion, brilliance, and generosity of spirit. I’m excited for what’s next as we continue planting seeds of change and cultivating a healthier future for the next generation. 💚

To everyone reading this: Stay tuned—BIG things are growing! 🌿

Peter Contardo