Alcohol Justice

“Michele Simon instantly became a national leader on alcohol issues as our research and policy director at Marin Institute, now known as Alcohol Justice. For over four years she brought a rare combination of strategic research, policy analysis, passion for public health, media savvy, and a healthy outrage at corporate wrong-doing. Her reports are always of the highest quality. Michele’s hard work built a foundation for Alcohol Justice’s core campaigns to raise alcohol taxes, stop marketing to youth, and support state-based regulation. She is a national leader on alcohol harm, legislative and policy solutions, and how to counter industry lobbying. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”

Bruce Lee Livingston, MPP, Executive Director / CEO

California Right to Know – Prop 37

“In the world of food reporting, where puff pieces are as common as Wonder Bread, Michele Simon is a rare and fearless voice. For over a decade, she has tenaciously investigated and documented major scandals in the food industry. She has the gift of a storyteller, a passion for justice and a knack for breaking news. She is a genuine citizen hero.”

Gary Ruskin, Campaign Director

Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood

“Michele’s knowledge of the law and policy issues related to marketing has been an invaluable resource to CCFC. Michele’s analysis and framing of food marketing issues — including her excellent book Appetite for Profit — has played a major role in shaping CCFC’s advocacy. She is the ideal Steering Committee member: knowledgeable, strategic, tireless, and passionate about advocacy. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”

Josh Golin, Associate Director

Center for Food Safety

“Michele Simon is the complete package-tremendous expertise on nutrition and food safety, the writing and speaking skills to communicate that knowledge effectively, and the media connections to get the word out far and wide. I highly recommend her services.”

Andy Kimbrell, Executive Director

Corporate Accountability International

“Michele is among the leading authorities on the food industry and policy, and has been an indispensable partner in calling for greater corporate accountability”

Nick Guroff, Communications Director

Food Democracy Now!

Eat Drink Politics’ Michele Simon writes articles on behalf of Food Democracy Now!, a grassroots organization based in Iowa that takes on Big Ag interests. See for example: “Monsanto Teams up with Congress to Shred the Constitution” on the Huffington Post.

Food Safety News

“Michele Simon understands food politics and her ability to explain the issues as both a lawyer and public health advocate helps us to understand how much power we truly have — and must wield — to insist that the food we buy is safe and nutritious. As an editor and eager reader, I’m grateful for Michele’s fresh perspective and clear, compelling writing, and appreciate her thought-provoking contributions to Food Safety News.”

Mary Rothschild, Managing Editor

Morgan Law Firm

“Michele Simon was a tremendous help in my case against McDonald’s. Her deep knowledge of how the fast food giant markets to children and misleads the public about providing a wholesome atmosphere for customers, and her willingness to reveal the deception to a jury, impelled McDonald’s to settle.”

Ron Morgan

Praxis Project

Eat Drink Politics’ Michele Simon has presented on food industry tactics for groups working with the Praxis Project that help organize at the community level for food system changes.

Public Health Advocacy Institute

“Michele is an insightful, tough but fair scholar and critic of the food industry. She is very smart and perceptive, and works extremely hard and effectively at the difficult tasks she sets for herself.”

Richard Daynard, President & Professor, Northeastern University Law School

Public Health Law and Policy

In 2000, Eat Drink Politics’ Michele Simon conceived and wrote a successful grant proposal for Public Health Law and Policy under the Vitamin Settlement Cases Consumer Settlement Fund for legal research and technical assistance for improving school vending policies to promote the health of school children.

ROC-United

Eat Drink Politics’ Michele Simon authored several blog posts and conducted outreach for the book Behind the Kitchen Door, written by Saru Jayaraman, the co-founder of Restaurants Opportunities Center aka ROC-United.

Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University

Eat Drink Politics’ Michele Simon worked with the Rudd Center on a research project to analyze the patchwork quilt of school vending laws at the state level to show how, despite advocates’ best efforts, state bills were often defeated or severely watered down due to strong industry lobbying. The outcome of the project was an article published in the Food and Drug Law Journal: State Laws on School Vending: The Need for a Public Health Approach.

VegNews Magazine

“Michele’s knowledge of food policy is second to none. Her balance of insightful intellect and strong communication skills-as both a writer and speaker-combined with a legal background and sharp sense of humor gives her a perceptive, authoritative voice. Michele is also an expert organizer, dependable, and articulate; very capable with any undertaking she puts her effort toward.”

Joseph Connelly, Publisher