Margo Lang: Embracing Food, Sustainability, and Research in Madagascar
Margo Lang, a 38-year-old Brooklyn resident originally from Southern California, is on an extraordinary journey that blends her love for food and sustainability. She currently works in produce at The Green Grape, a locally sourced and sustainably driven grocery store in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. “I love working with food,” she shared, explaining that her previous work as a bartender led her to seek a role that would align more closely with her passions.
Lang’s decision to pursue Food Studies at The New School wasn’t a straightforward one, but it felt destined. She wanted a program deeply rooted in the values of social justice and equity which led her to The New School. “There was something that just felt really aligned with me,” Lang recalled about discovering the Food Studies program after searching through culinary programs in New York. She admitted that though the path is long—she is currently in her third year and expecting to finish in six—it’s been both challenging and rewarding. “I love every minute of being in school… It’s also the most difficult thing,” she shared.
Her studies at TNS have included some eye-opening research, particularly in the realm of food and environmental justice. One of her most significant experiences was a class called Food and the Environment, taught by Dr. Kristin Reynolds, Chair and Associate Professor of Food Studies. “Kristin has a heart for social justice,” Lang said, emphasizing how the course shaped her understanding of food, the environment, and their social and economic implications. “I really feel close with what she teaches and how she teaches it,” Lang said of her professor. “It really stuck with me, my coursework and research. As part of the class, she wrote a paper focused on biodiversity and nocturnal pollinators in Sub-Saharan Africa—a region she hopes to work in one day, addressing food security and food sovereignty—which has become a major motivator for her future. “I imagine living in different countries… I’d rather be on the ground, hands in the dirt with people, really understanding what’s going on,” said Lang.
Lang is working towards this future actively and one of her first steps is her upcoming study abroad semester in Madagascar. When looking for a destination, Madagascar stood out as a perfect fit, allowing her to merge her interest in food with her curiosity about the natural world. “The program in Madagascar is about biodiversity, and it has so much to do with growing food and the balance of Earth’s systems,” Lang explained. Her research will involve studying lemurs, and other unique wildlife while also exploring the vital balance of ecosystems for food production.
Applying to study abroad seemed an impossible task until Lang discovered the prestigious Gilman Scholarship. While the application process was tedious, receiving the award made everything worthwhile. “If you’re on the Pell Grant, there are resources out there for you,” she emphasized, encouraging others to explore scholarships to fund their own study abroad.
Looking ahead, Lang is open to continuing her education and possibly pursuing a Ph.D. “I never thought I’d go to college,” she admitted. “Now that I’m here at The New School, I’m finding how much I love to use my brain, really get my tendrils in there.” As Lang embarks on her journey to Madagascar and continues to grow as a scholar and advocate for food security, she is determined to inspire others and make a lasting impact on the world’s most pressing food and environmental issues. “It can happen if you really want to,” she said, offering hope and guidance to those who dream of exploring the world and making a difference.