Eating Well magazine has named U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree an “American Food Hero” because of her work on national food policy.

Winners of the magazine’s 2nd annual American Food Heroes awards were nominated by food experts, advocates and readers.

This year, the awards focused on leaders in food, sustainability and nutrition.

A panel of editors reviewed the submissions and narrowed down the finalists, considering their ongoing contributions as well as any achievements they’ve made in the past year.

Pingree, a Democrat who represents Maine’s 1st Congressional District, was selected for the honor because of her advocacy for local foods and organic agriculture, and her attention to the issue of food waste, according to the Vermont-based magazine.

Winners are profiled in the July/August issue of Eating Well and online at eatingwell.com. Other winners include Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard University; Joann Lo and Jose Oliva, co-directors of the Food Chain Workers Alliance; Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; and Tom Colicchio, chef and owner of the Crafted Hospitality restaurant group.