
Speaker
Wen-Jay Ying
CEO and Boss, Local Roots NYC
Wen-Jay Ying is the founder of Local Roots NYC, a pioneer in modernizing CSA subscriptions for urban consumers. Since 2011, Local Roots has supported 50+ sustainable farms and provided thousands of New Yorkers with high-quality, locally grown food: from produce to meat, dairy, and more. The company expanded to include a Chinese farm-to-table café and kiosk in a James Beard curated food hall. As of 2026, Local Roots now focuses on grazing tables and farm-to-office experiences. Wen-Jay’s entrepreneurial roots trace back to the DIY music scene, where she played in multiple bands. She was recognized by Mayor Bloomberg as Entrepreneur of the Year for her impact on NYC and has spoken at City Hall, the United Nations, and more. Follow @wenjayying on instagram as she shares lessons from the past 15 years as a food founder.







