Please introduce yourself to our Co-op community

I grew up in the Northeast and moved to Maine in 2024 after living out west for many years. I spent the past nine years working at a vertical hydroponic farm whose mission is to provide meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities by growing local food. I have cultivated expertise in farming (especially leafy greens and tomatoes), food safety, operations, and team management. My work in farming and inclusive workplaces has instilled a deep passion for local sustainable agriculture and an appreciation for the way food brings community together. I am impressed and inspired by the mission of the Portland Food Co-op, and am excited about the opportunity to be considered as a board member for the PFC. I love shopping at the Co-op and being a member-owner because I gets to live my values everyday.

What are you excited about contributing to the Board?

I am excited to contribute my passion for local sustainable food, my knowledge of farming and operations, and my belief in building inclusive communities. I believe in the co-op’s work deeply and would like to be a part of ensuring its continued success. I will approach this work with energy, dedication, and a willingness to learn.

Please introduce yourself to our Co-op community

I would like to serve on the Portland Food Co-op Board so that this vibrant and important community resource may continue to provide us with a positive alternative to the harmful economic, environmental and health effects of large corporations. I was a farmer for twelve years, working in many aspects of food production including dairy, meat, vegetables, and value-added food processing. I have also spent the last 10 years caring for adults with disabilities and thinking deeply about how our environmental practices and our nutrition affects the health of those I am caring for. Throughout these experiences I have been a member of Food Co-ops, and these grocery stores have been a crucial tool in my ability to live out my personal values. Now that I am able, it seems right that I serve on the Board of this place that has had such a positive impact on my life.

What are you excited about contributing to the Board?

I am excited to be another active advocate for local food and economic systems and to learn from the Co-op Members and Leadership. And I’m excited to contribute the skills gained in my experience advocating in the field of care-work and disabilities, intentional communities and farming, to this amazing effort.

If you meet someone who has never been to the Portland Food Co-op, what would you say to them?

The PFC is a welcoming community grocery store that has a vested interest in fulfilling your needs, not the needs of Big Food Corporations. It’s a place where we can keep our dollars in the local economy, support local farmers, and have a more positive effect on our environment and health.

What impact do you want to see the co-op have on the community?

I want the Co-op to be a welcoming, friendly and safe physical space on Congress Street, where shoppers and staff feel a sense of community upon walking in the doors. I want the Co-op to play a role in bringing food equity to the city. And I want to Co-op to be a resource for local farmers and food producers.

Please introduce yourself to our Co-op community

I am an artist, designer, teacher, knitter, chef, farmer, & babysitter. I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and I grew up visiting family in Maine. I moved to Portland in 2022 and worked as a cook in fine-dining. Among other things, I am is passionate about fermentation, ecology, and the local food economy. I hold a degree in Studio Arts from Bard College and a Master in Applied Gastronomy from the University of Gastronomic Sciences. I am the Communications Coordinator at Watershed Ceramics and I also work at Onggi on Washington Ave, where you can find me in the shop talking about sourdough and miso and sauerkraut. I see a position on the co-op board as an opportunity to learn about and connect with local producers, engage in cooperative economy, and work to bring the co-op's offerings to a wide audience.

What are you excited about contributing to the Board?

I am excited to bring a varied perspective to the board, informed by knowledge and passion about food and food systems. My academic background is in art and ecology and I have work experience on farms and in kitchens. Beyond this, I strive for clear and thoughtful communication, whether in writing or conversation.

If you meet someone who has never been to the Portland Food Co-op, what would you say to them?

I would tell them that by shopping at the co-op, they are supporting the local food economy and investing in local, community-based infrastructure. The co-op is a key mediator between the people of Portland and the nearby farmers. Without the co-op, accessing local produce year-round would be incredibly difficult.

What impact do you want to see the co-op have on the community?

I want the to see the co-op be a place for all community members to have access to fresh and local produce at an affordable price. I would like customers to feel welcome, able, and empowered to shop at the co-op, and understand the impact that their choice to shop at the co-op is important and has an impact within the immediate food system.