Rooted in Wellness: Fresh Food as Medicine & Community

In recognition of National Wellness Month, join the Fresh Food Factory Market, under the leadership of Amanda Stephenson, for a community conversation on Fresh Food as Medicine, featuring a team of knowledgeable experts who will explore the powerful role of fresh food in supporting prevention, nutrition, and overall wellness. This engaging dialogue invites participants to think more deeply about the connection between what we eat and how we live, offering practical insights that can be applied in everyday life.

Panel Members Include:

*Lottena Wolters, LPC, is a mental health therapist with a group practice in Washington, DC. She is the Founder and CEO of The F.L. Wolters Group and creator of The FLWG Way (pronounced “Flag Way”) a whole-person wellness model grounded in eight dimensions of well-being. A longtime Ward 7 resident, Ms. Wolters has spent more than two decades supporting individuals, families, and communities in building healthier, more grounded lives. Ms. Wolters believes fresh food is medicine because what we eat impacts mood, energy, focus, and stress regulation.

*Nancy Sonnah, MPH, Program Manager of Community Outreach & Engagement at Sibley Memorial Hospital. She focuses on cancer risk reduction, health education, patient navigation, and improving access to care. Through partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations, she works to connect residents with resources that support healthier lives and advance health equity.

*Dr. Kerryann Gross, Dr. Gross is the Founder and Medical Director at Evexia bringing more than 20 years of clinical experience spanning trauma care, emergency medicine, and gastrointestinal health. Harvard University-trained in hormone optimization, she specializes in obesity management, longevity medicine, nutrition, and preventative care. Her patient-centered approach combines conventional and functional medicine to help individuals achieve lasting health and wellness through personalized treatment and sustainable lifestyle changes.

*Chet C. Alan Bennétt (Chef Benné) is Founder & Executive Chef at Kidney Kafe. Chef Benné is a kidney transplant recipient, entrepreneur, and health advocate who founded Kidney Kafe to promote healthier living through food. Through kidney-conscious meals, cooking demonstrations, wellness education, and community outreach, he helps individuals and families make healthier choices without sacrificing flavor. His mission is simple: “Eat Well. Live Well. Give Life.”

Together, these panelists bring a powerful, multidisciplinary perspective to the Fresh Food as Medicine conversation, bridging clinical expertise, community health engagement, and lived experiences. Their combined perspectives highlight how food can serve as both a preventative tool and a pathway to healing, making them uniquely positioned to explore how integrated approaches can improve health outcomes across diverse populations.

Immediately following the discussion, resource tables will offer information, tools, and connections to help you continue your wellness journey beyond the day.