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Our Staff

Kendrya Close

Kendrya Close

Executive Director

Lisa Kelly

Lisa Kelly

Director of Operations and Grant Manager

Christine Parauda

Christine Parauda

Food Access Director

Eric Derby

Eric Derby

Development Director

Shannon Black

Shannon Black

Food Access/Gleaning Coordinator

Daisy Taylor

Daisy Taylor

Volunteer Coordinator and Gleaning Program Assistant

Christine Dunbar

Christine Dunbar

Paulins Kill Watershed Coordinator

Tess Mullen

Tess Mullen

SAgE Program Coordinator

Breeyanah Gee-Burney

Marketing & Outreach Coordinator

Renee Marinelli

Farm Outreach Coordinator with Norwescap Food Bank, in partnership with LocalShare/Foodshed Alliance

David de Wit

Paulins Kill Watershed Program Assistant

As the dedicated Executive Director of the Foodshed Alliance, Kendrya Close brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the helm of the organization. With a profound commitment spanning over 15 years, Kendrya has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the Foodshed Alliance, fostering its mission to support farmers, nourish communities, and protect the environment. Kendrya has a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Ohio University and considers herself an activist! She wants to save the planet, fix the climate but does this through the lens of food. Her visionary leadership and strategic insights have propelled the organization’s initiatives, contributing to the rebuilding of a robust and resilient local food system. Kendrya’s enduring dedication to sustainable agriculture, coupled with her ability to forge meaningful partnerships and engage diverse stakeholders, underscores her commitment to building a healthier and more connected community. For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, Kendrya can be contacted at Kendrya@FoodshedAlliance.org.

Lisa Kelly serves as the Director of Operations and Grants at the Foodshed Alliance, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the organization’s daily operations and spearheading strategic initiatives. Lisa’s experience with and dedication to the Foodshed Alliance spans 15 years, Her multifaceted role involves managing grants, cultivating essential relationships, and driving operational efficiency. Lisa brings a deep commitment to the Foodshed Alliance’s mission and a comprehensive understanding of the nonprofit landscape, making her an invaluable asset in fostering community engagement and advancing the organization’s impact. For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, Lisa can be reached at Lisa@FoodshedAlliance.org

Christine Parauda serves as the Food Access Director for the Foodshed Alliance, bringing a wealth of expertise and dedication to her role. With a profound commitment to addressing food insecurity, Christine has been instrumental in the success of the LocalShare program. Her strategic vision and hands-on approach have played a pivotal role in rescuing over 760,000 pounds of surplus food from local farms, contributing to more than 3.3 million meals for those facing food insecurity. Christine’s leadership ensures the effective coordination of efforts to bridge the gap between local farms and communities in need. Her passion for fostering sustainable agriculture and alleviating hunger makes her a driving force behind the Foodshed Alliance’s impactful initiatives. For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, Christine can be reached at Christine@FoodshedAlliance.org.

As the Development Director of the Foodshed Alliance, Eric Derby brings a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to advancing the organization’s mission. With a background deeply rooted in the local food movement and a decade-long tenure as both Associate Publisher of Edible Jersey and a board member of the Foodshed Alliance, Eric has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to fostering a healthy and resilient local food system. His unique perspective, honed through the establishment and operation of a community coffeehouse and farm to table eatery, provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by small businesses and farmers. In his role as Development Director, Eric is driven to leverage his passion for local food advocacy to propel the Foodshed Alliance towards long-term sustainability. For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, Eric can be reached at Eric@FoodshedAlliance.org.

Shannon Black, the Food Access/Gleaning Coordinator at the Foodshed Alliance, is at the forefront during the harvest season, leading the coordination of gleanings on farms and facilitating the efficient delivery of rescued produce to food pantries and social service agencies. Shannon promotes and coordinates to support the organization’s food access mission and goals, plans and coordinates the logistics, scheduling and distribution of food collection including gleanings, farm pick-ups, pop-up produce markets, and food pantry delivery.

Drawing on her experience as a farmer, Shannon ensures the execution of gleaning activities, contributing significantly to reducing food waste and supporting local communities. For inquiries or to learn more about LocalShare initiatives, contact Shannon at Shannon@FoodshedAlliance.org.

Daisy Taylor serves as the Volunteer Coordinator and Gleaning Program Assistant at the Foodshed Alliance, where she works tirelessly alongside volunteers promotes and coordinates the organization’s volunteer program including recruiting, retaining and placing volunteers to support mission driven activities. Develops outreach strategies to seek individuals and organizations committed to the organizations’ food access mission and goals. Supports the gleaning program including facilitating free produce markets and distribution sites, acts as gleaning leader at farm sites and provides farm partner produce pick-ups and deliveries to
agencies.
 Daisy is deeply committed to community service and believes in the transformative power of connecting local farms with those in need. Her dedication to fostering a sustainable and equitable food system is evident in her hands-on approach to gleaning operations. If you have any inquiries or would like to get involved in the Gleaning Program, you can reach out to Daisy at Daisy@foodshedalliance.org.

As the Paulins Kill Watershed Coordinator, Christine Dunbar brings a wealth of experience and a longstanding commitment to conservation advocacy in our region. With a keen focus on promoting and safeguarding the health of the Paulins Kill Watershed, Christine plays a vital role in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our local ecosystems. For inquiries or further information regarding watershed initiatives, you can contact Christine at chrisdunbar@foodshedalliance.org.

 

Tess Mullen serves as the SAgE Program Coordinator at the Foodshed Alliance, where she is deeply committed to making a meaningful impact on the success of farmers, especially those practicing regenerative organic growing methods. Tess brings over a decade of small organic farming experience to managing the Sustainable Agriculture Enterprises (SAgE) Program, leveraging her passion for farming to drive positive change within the agricultural community. Through her dedication, Tess plays a pivotal role in supporting farmers on their journey towards regenerative practices, fostering resilience and sustainability within local agriculture. For inquiries or to learn more about the SAgE Program, contact Tess at TessM@FoodshedAlliance.org.

In her role as Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, Breeyanah Gee-Burney seamlessly bridges the gap between office and field, contributing to the organization’s success through effective marketing and communications strategies. Breeyanah plays a crucial role in promoting the Foodshed Alliance and its various programs, fostering community engagement, and ensuring that the organization’s message resonates with diverse audiences. For inquiries or to connect with the Foodshed Alliance’s marketing efforts, you can reach Breeyanah at breeyanah@FoodshedAlliance.org.

As the Farm Outreach Coordinator at the Foodshed Alliance, Renee Marinelli plays a vital role in providing direct support and outreach to farmers involved in the LocalShare program. With a passion for sustainable agriculture, Renee collaborates with local farmers to strengthen their engagement with the Foodshed Alliance, ensuring the success of the LocalShare program. If you are a farmer interested in working with LocalShare you can connect with Renee at marinellir@norwescap.org

David de Wit plays a crucial role as the Paulins Kill Watershed Program Assistant at the Foodshed Alliance. He actively contributes to the organization’s efforts to promote and protect the Paulins Kill Watershed. With a commitment to environmental conservation, David supports various initiatives aimed at preserving the ecological integrity of the watershed. If you have any questions or wish to engage with David on Paulins Kill Watershed matters, feel free to contact him at david@foodshedalliance.org.

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© 2024 Foodshed Alliance

Foodshed Alliance

Office location:
326 High Street
Hope, NJ 07844
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 713
Blairstown, NJ 07825
ph: (908) 362-7967
The Foodshed Alliance is an equal opportunity provider.