The Food Project’s mission is to create a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system.
Each year, The Food Project hires 120 teens, grows 200,000 lbs. of food, and donates more than 180,000 servings of fresh produce to hunger relief organizations across eastern Massachusetts.
Greater Boston Regional Director
781-259-8621 Ext. 38
she/her/hers
Maritza joined The Food Project in May 2019 as the Greater Boston Regional Director after working in public service positions for over 15 years. Maritza is an internationally experienced non-profit and public sector leader who has dedicated her life to combining community activist efforts with service-learning frameworks. Maritza prioritizes placing people at the center of every program she innovates. Her accomplishments include co-founding a student-run business program for the Chicago Public School District and serving as a founding board member of Y2Y Harvard Square—a shelter for young adults experiencing homelessness. As a current resident of Dorchester, she enjoys the close-to-home connection of The Food Project’s work. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and traveling to her homeland, Puerto Rico.
Managing Director
339-234-1286
she/her/hers
Jen James has been working in non-profits since 2000. She’s worked in farm-based organizations including The Food Project, Farm Aid, and Codman Community Farm. Her passion and her strength is found in supporting others to do their best work. Returning to The Food Project as the Managing Director allows her to combine her skills in leadership, group facilitation, organizational development, and strategic thinking to foster organizational sustainability. Jen is a voracious reader who also enjoys running and being outdoors.
Development Associate
781-259-8621 Ext. 140
she/they
Ashley joined The Food Project as the Development Associate in 2019 after studying at the University of Maine and earning a B.S. in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, with a minor in Sustainable Food Systems. Ashley is also an alumna of The Food Project’s Seed, Root, and Dirt Crews, and is grateful to have grown in those roles from 2008-2011. Outside of ensuring that The Food Project’s database runs smoothly and assisting with grants, Ashley enjoys baking, belly dancing, curling, and gardening.
Northeastern University Co-op
781-259-8621
she/her/hers
Julia is a fourth-year journalism major and environmental studies minor at Northeastern University, and is just coming back from a semester studying the environment in Costa Rica. She joined the Food Project’s Boston team in 2020 to work with Dudley Farm Manager Danielle Andrews and to help out with The Food Project’s communications. Previously, she has interned as a reporter at The Boston Globe, The Chautauquan Daily in western New York, and two community newspapers in Connecticut. She is passionate about learning about all aspects of food systems. Outside of the office, she enjoys hiking, watching stand-up comedy, and baking.
HR, Finance, & Operations Associate
781-259-8621 Ext. 38
she/her/hers
Nasarah joined The Food Project in 2019 as the Development and Finance Associate. Prior to joining our team, she had experience working as Program Coordinator for a non-profit in Baltimore and a Sales Manager at Verizon. Nasarah’s engagement with The Food Project goes back to 2010, when she joined our team as a Seed Crew Member. During this time, Nasarah learned how nutrition is important to the health and wellness of our communities. She is passionate about eradicating food deserts and serving youth in her community by advocating for their access to resources. Following her involvement with Seed Crew, Nasarah, returned to The Food Project in 2015 as an Assistant Grower on the Lincoln land. Nasarah received both her BA in Sociology (2016) and MBA (2017) from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD. In her spare time, Nasarah loves to enjoy nature walks, meditate, and read.
Wenham Farm Manager
781-346-6726 Ext. 51
she/her/hers
Miriam returned to The Food Project team in 2017 after a four-year absence from our Lincoln farm, where she worked for 9 years in various roles—including as a grower and CSA manager. Miriam started her farming career with The Food Project after graduating from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Geography. Since then she has worked with several farming businesses and non-profit organizations throughout New England. She loves the vision on The Food Project and is thrilled to return this season as a Farm Manager on the Wenham land.
Youth Development Specialist – Root Crew
617-792-6076
he/him/his
Tu began working with youth at Northeastern University where he studied Cultural Anthropology and International Relations. During that time, most of his work was focused in the Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston. After college, Tu both trained as a Farm Apprentice with the Urban Farming Institute in Boston and a Grower’s Assistant under Danielle Andrews at The Food Project—starting in 2018. Tu now supervises Root Crew throughout the year, supporting The Food Project’s most experienced youth cohort as they tackle advanced farm tasks and collaborate directly with community members to better the local food economy. Tu works with young people to establish strong roots as they begin to figure out their future careers. In his spare time, Tu travels to distant continents. “Traveling is escaping. It makes me feel small and insignificant and yet feel so connected to the wonders of the world.”
Grants Manager
781-259-8621
she/her/hers
Nichole is a dedicated food system professional with an interest in healthy food access, equitable food systems, sustainable local agriculture, and nutrition education. Nichole joined The Food Project’s development team in January 2020 as the Grants Manager and is responsible for the strategy, management, and writing of all grants to the institutional funders of The Food Project. Nichole has previously served as a project manager for The Food Trust’s Farmers Market Program, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit committed to healthy food access. In her free time, you can find her roller skating, playing roller derby, at the gym, or at home curled up with her two super sweet cats!
Lincoln Field Manager
he/him/his
Rob graduated from Dickinson College with a degree in Environmental Science. It was at Dickinson that Rob became exposed to sustainable agriculture, and immediately he fell in love with toiling out in the fields. After graduating he participated in an apprenticeship at the Dickinson College Farm, before continuing on to the Food Project as a Grower’s Assistant in 2018. In his current role as a Field Manager, Rob helps ensure timely flow into and out of crop production, whilst maintaining effective stewardship of the land. These measures include preparing fields for production, planning crop rotation, improving soil fertility through compost management and cover cropping, monitoring for pests and disease and prescribing appropriate measures, and leading youth in agricultural workshops. Outside his work, Rob has a passion for cooking and experimenting with various fermented foods. He is an amateur hot sauce aficionado and loves to eat super spicy sauces with whoever else is willing.
Lincoln Farm Manager
781-259-8621 Ext. 37
he/him/his
Alex Pogany began volunteering for The Food Project in 2009 and came on board full-time as a Grower’s Assistant in 2010. After three full seasons as a Grower’s Assistant, he became the Lincoln Farm’s Field Manager in December of 2012. Alex held the Field Manager position for three years until the winter of 2015 when he became the Lincoln Head Grower.
Some of the many roles Alex is responsible for include vegetable production and planning, soil fertility, compost operation management, maintaining and operating field equipment, leading agriculture workshops, and guiding youth and volunteers in meaningful and valuable work. In 2009, Alex returned home to Boston after an eight-year sojourn in Washington state where he worked as a forestry technician for the U.S. Forest Service. His interest in sustainable agriculture is an extension of his long-held concern for the protection of the environment.
Marcy Dorna
Manager of Finance and Operations
781-259-8621 Ext. 18
[email protected]
she/her/hers
Marcy joined the Food Project in 2019 as the Manager of Finance and Operations. Marcy handles payroll, benefits, on-boarding, payment of invoices and cutting checks, and facilities management (including all offices). Marcy holds a B.A. from McGill University and comes to The Food Project with an extensive history of working in financial management in the nonprofit sector. She is thrilled with the opportunity to work for The Food Project. Marcy resides in Weston with her two children. She enjoys perusing cafes and bookstores with her daughter, hiking and running with her son, and generally being active outdoors. In the early mornings she can be found rowing on the Charles River.
Community Food Fellow
540-230-3261
she/her/hers
Emmy Bender joined The Food Project as the Community Food Fellow in June 2019 after graduating with an Ecology degree from Princeton University. Emmy’s past experience includes agricultural research, anti-carceral advocacy work, and a lifetime of growing vegetables, flowers, and animals with her family in Virginia. At The Food Project, she facilitates farmers markets and corner store sales, and also acts as a Root Crew supervisor, spending lots of quality time with Greater Boston youth! Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, running and cooking delicious food with all the fresh produce grown at The Food Project farms.
Communications Manager
781-259-8621 Ext. 15
she/her/hers
Kim joined The Food Project in 2018 as the Grants Manager. She comes to The Food Project from the Asperger/Autism Network (AANE), where she served as the Associate Director of Development. While at AANE, Kim crafted proposals, designed campaigns, and managed events to promote neurodiversity awareness and help people living on the autism spectrum build meaningful, connected lives. Kim received her B.A. in Anthropology from Haverford College and holds a degree in Chinese Medicine. She appreciates how the Chinese model of nurturing the body and spirit reflects a sustainable farmer’s ethos of tending the land. When she is not busy collecting and sharing stories from the field, you can find Kim running along her favorite wooded trails or shaping useful objects at a potter’s wheel.
Lincoln Grower’s Assistant/CSA Manager
781-996-8562
she/they
Ode joined The Food Project in 2018 as a Grower’s Assistant for the Lincoln farm and CSA Manager for the Boston region. She is graduate of The University of Oregon, where she studied Environmental Studies with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Her thirst for knowledge and love for getting her hands dirty can be seen in the variety of farming experience she possesses from working as a Farm Manager at an Organic vegetable farm, interning at a goat dairy, farming with draft horses and leading a school garden program, among other experiences. In her free time, Ode continues her passion for the outdoors through playing ultimate frisbee, where she has won national championships and competed as a representative of the USA at a world tournament.
Youth Development Specialist- Root Crew
781-259-8621 Ext. 81
he/him/his
Marvin first joined The Food Project as a Seed Crew member in the the summer of 2013. He went on to join Dirt Crew and Root Crew, and worked as farmers market consultant in the summer of 2017. After graduating from college, he has now returned to The Food Project as the new Youth Development Specialist for the North Shore. In this new role he will be overseeing the incoming youth in Seed Crew and Dirt Crew. Marvin recently graduated from Providence College with a Bachelors in Public and Community Service Studies with a Youth Development concentration and Global Studies core focus. When Marvin is not at The Food Project, he loves hanging out with friends and family.
Lynn Assistant Grower
781-259-8621 Ext. 71
she/they
Yun-Yun joined The Food Project in July 2017 as the Organizational Learning High Meadows Fellow focused on supporting evaluation of the youth learning and community gardening experience. She now works on the farms in Lynn as an Assistant Grower. She brings her passion for learning about agricultural models around the world, her concern for ecological and social justice, and her interest in both transformative and experiential learning to her position at The Food Project. Yun-Yun graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a certificate in Ethnographic Studies. In addition to her love of climbing rocks and making music, she has discovered—to the despair of her housemates—a new passion for making pungent fermented CSA veggies.
Marketing & Communications Associate & Graphic Designer
781-259-8621 Ext. 26
she/her/hers
Hannah joined The Food Project in March of 2018 as the Marketing & Communications Associate & Graphic Designer. Prior to joining The Food Project, Hannah held design and communications roles at the KITCHEN at the Boston Public Market, the Office of Health Promotion at Boston College, and ran her business as a freelance designer. Hannah is a 2018 graduate of Boston College, where she obtained her B.A. in Communications. In her spare time, you can find Hannah visiting farmers markets and craft fairs around New England, or engaging in creative pursuits including calligraphy and baking.
Youth Development Specialist- Seed Crew & Dirt Crew
617-442-1322 Ext. 55
he/him/his
Omar Carranza currently serves as The Food Project’s Youth Development Specialist for Seed Crew and Dirt Crew in the Greater Boston region. Omar has been active in the organization since 2011, when he first joined us as a young person in Seed Crew. He has remained active with The Food Project through Dirt Crew, as a Seed Crew Peer Leader, as an intern, and eventually as a staff member while attending college. Omar is a graduate of Salem State University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. When not at work, you might find Omar immersing himself in old school R&B, including his favorite group Boyz II Men.
Youth Development Specialist- Greater Boston Root Crew
617-804-6549
she/her/hers
Keely started with The Food Project as a young person in the summer of 2008 with Seed Crew and participated in Dirt Crew and Root Crew throughout her high school years. Following high school, Keely ventured to Baton Rouge to serve as an Americorps service member with City Year. Since returning to the Boston area, she has continued to work with young people—teaching sex education with Action for Boston Community Development and working with The Food Project as a Crew Leader, Assistant Grower, and Root Crew Supervisor. After a year’s hiatus, as the Assistant Farm Manager at Brookwood Community Farm, Keely is excited to be back at The Food Project supporting Greater Boston’s Root Crew. Keely is a high-energy, sunshine-loving person who can be found planning adventures with friends, playing with small children, hiking a mountain, cooking farm veggies, or searching out the best food of Boston.
Dudley Farm Manager
617-422-1322 Ext. 13
she/her/hers
Danielle Andrews has worked on and off at The Food Project since the summer of 2000, where she started as a grower’s assistant on The Food Project’s Lincoln farm. In the fall of 2000, Danielle returned to her hometown of Toronto to finish a master’s degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on agriculture-based education and work on urban agriculture projects. In 2002, she returned to The Food Project as the Boston Urban Grower. Following a maternity leave in 2008, she returned to The Food Project to head up the Dudley Greenhouse. In her current position, she enjoys working with and supporting neighbors and neighborhood organizations that are working in partnership with The Food Project to strengthen our neighborhood food system. Danielle loves to grow, cook, and appreciate vegetables; ride bikes; and explore Boston’s free events, pools, and skating rinks.
North Shore Regional Director
781-346-6726 Ext. 65
he/him/his
John joined The Food Project in May 2005 and helped start The Food Project’s North Shore site—based in Lynn, Beverly, and Wenham—as the Youth Programs Manager. Currently, he serves as The Food Project’s North Shore Regional Director, where he oversees operations including their youth leadership development experiences, community engagement and partnership practices, local food system development, and the growing and distributing of thousands of pounds of produce throughout Lynn and the North Shore. John is a graduate of the International Health Policy and Management program at Brandeis University’s Heller School and holds a B.Sc in Microbiology and a M.Sc in International Health Policy and Management. John’s experience in youth advocacy spans education, literacy, HIV-AIDS prevention, and community service promotion. When not in the office, you can find John cooking – a lot, spending time outdoors in the fall, backpacking and discovering new places, and reading books next to fires or swinging in hammocks.
Manager of Finance and Operations
781-259-8621 Ext. 18
she/her/hers
Marcy joined The Food Project in 2019 as the Manager of Finance and Operations. Marcy handles payroll, benefits, on-boarding, payment of invoices and cutting checks, and facilities management (including all offices.) Marcy holds a B.A. from McGill University, and comes to the Food Project with an extensive history of working in financial management in the nonprofit sector. She is thrilled with the opportunity to work for The Food Project. She enjoys perusing cafes and bookstores with her daughter, hiking and running with her son, and generally being active outdoors. In the early mornings she can be found rowing on the Charles River.
Executive Director
781-259-8621 Ext. 19
she/her/hers
Anne joined The Food Project in 2019 as our Executive Director. Prior to joining us, Anne was the Chief Operating Officer at Trinity Boston Foundation, a non-profit with a mission to unlock opportunity and change the odds for youth of color in Boston. Over the course of her four years there, Anne supervised all aspects of the organization from youth development programs to organizational consulting, from finance and operations to development and communications. In addition, she developed a new outcomes evaluation tool, led the process to develop the 2016-2020 strategic plan, and was the Interim Executive Director in the summer of 2018.
Anne’s engagement with The Food Project goes back to 2009, when she led the first of two pro bono consulting projects focused on marketing to youth and financial sustainability. She is also the parent of an alumna of our youth programs who worked with us from 2011 to 2015.
Anne received her BA from Dartmouth College and her MBA from Harvard Business School. In her spare time, Anne loves to garden and cook, and is looking forward to cooking with her first CSA share this summer.
Organizational Research Fellow
she/her/hers
Aparna joined The Food Project in August 2018 as the High Meadows Organizational Research Fellow, supporting the Lynn Grows initiative in building a local food system that works for everyone. She brings to this position her passion for food justice and public health, particularly for using food to promote holistic wellbeing and strengthen communities. Aparna recently graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Molecular Biology and minors in Global Health/Health Policy and Gender & Sexuality Studies. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Lynn and experimenting with the many new varieties of squash she has been introduced to on The Food Project’s farms.
Director of Learning and Design
781-259-8621 Ext. 29
she/her/hers
Cindy joined The Food Project in 2012. Cindy works across The Food Project in the areas of designing, supporting and evaluating the learning experience for youth, staff and others interested in our work. A native southerner, Cindy received her BS in HPER at the University of North Alabama and MRE at Scarritt Graduate School. She has wide ranging experience in youth and community development in local communities, faith-based communities and organizations, and the academy. Among her interests are creating hospitable settings for sharing food and stories, making single signature jotters from found paper, threads and objects, and exploring the beaches and back roads of New England with Kirby, the wonder beagle.
Associate Director of Development
781-259-8621 Ext. 31
she/her/hers
Lucy serves on the fundraising team as the Associate Director of Development. In this role, she engages with a vibrant, inspired community of individuals who love The Food Project and are committed to keeping it growing strong. Lucy joined the team in 2014 as a Development Officer for Individual Giving & Events and was in charge of planning the Big Shindig, Farm Lunches, and other avenues for supporters to experience and connect with The Food Project. Previously, she worked as Project & Event Manager at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Lucy holds a B.A. in Spanish and Studio Arts from Holy Cross in Worcester, MA where she was first exposed to social justice and inspired by Jesuit values. A native of Cape Cod, Lucy loves clamming, swimming in the ocean, traveling, and experiencing other cultures whenever she gets the chance. Lucy’s favorite foods are basil pesto and ice cream (not together, although there’s an idea!) She is proud to work for an organization so deeply committed to young people and communities of color—and to fundamentally changing the systems and ideas that affect how we treat each other, our food, and the planet we share.
Looking to get involved and support The Food Project? Contact Lucy to learn more.
Events & Volunteer Manager
781-259-8621 Ext. 54
she/her/hers
Sarah serves on The Food Project’s fundraising team as the Events & Volunteer Manager. In this role, she is in charge of planning and executing inspiring and engaging events, such as the Big Shindig and Farm Lunch, for The Food Project’s community. Additionally, she coordinates group volunteers on The Food Project’s farms. Sarah’s passion for social justice and sustainable farming led her to join The Food Project in 2016. Sarah holds a BS in Business Administration Management from the University of New Hampshire and has a background in hospitality and research. In her spare time, you can find Sarah creating, reading, hiking with her dog Theo, or perfecting her sourdough bread.
Operations Specialist
she/her/hers
Madison Beehler serves The Food Project as the Operations Specialist for the Greater Boston region. Madison joined the team in 2016 and has held roles as a member of the agricultural staff on The Food Project’s Baker Bridge Farm in Lincoln, and served as a Root Crew supervisor, before taking on her current role. As the Operations Specialist, she handles the logistical work behind launching the youth crews, focusing primarily on the needs of Seed Crew. Prior to The Food Project, Madison worked as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Dickinson College Farm where she coordinated events and classes for students. She graduated from Dickinson College in 2015 with a B.S. in Environmental Science. When not on the farm or in the office, Madison can be found lacing up her sneakers for a trail run, fermenting cabbage, or working on a sewing project.
Lincoln Field Manager
he/him/his
Brendan Murtha joined The Food Project as the Lincoln Field Manager at the start of 2016. He returned to Massachusetts from Pennsylvania where he attended college and worked on a diverse vegetable/livestock farm. As the Field Manager, Brendan shares many responsibilities with the Farm Manager to ensure the farm operates smoothly and produces healthy food. Brendan’s favorite parts of farming are troubleshooting mechanical issues, making compost, and eating the delicious produce. In his free time, Brendan enjoys biking, fermenting food, and scheming about efficient and sustainable ways to grow produce.
Operations Specialist
she/her/hers
Anika Dinna Whitmore serves as the Operations Specialist for the North Shore region. She recently returned to the North Shore after attending Spelman College in Atlanta, GA where she studied Economics. While attending Spelman College, Anika worked as a student archival assistant and developed a passion for historical preservation and archival studies. She has had the opportunities of working in the archives at Spelman College, the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site, and Heritage Werks. Anika is an alumna of The Food Project’s Seed Crew and Root Crew and worked with the organization in those capacities from 2008 to 2012. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with friends and family, catching up on the latest documentary series, and everything in between.
Youth Development Specialist- Seed Crew & Dirt Crew
781-346-6726 Ext. 57
she/her/hers
Adesuwa Usuanlele began her journey with The Food Project in 2012 as a young person in Seed Crew. She then progressed onto Dirt Crew, then Root Crew, ending her youth experience as a Peer Leader on the North Shore. For Adesuwa, the sense of community that her experiences with the organization have given her has been a driving force both during and after her time in The Food Project’s youth crews. She is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she received a degree in Communication with a secondary major in Afro American Studies and a certificate in Civic Engagement and Public Service. After graduating, she returned to The Food Project as a crew leader on the North Shore. Currently, Adesuma is serving as the SCI AmeriCorps Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for the North Shore where she will provide support for volunteer and youth programs. Outside of work, Adesuwa loves to thrift for unique clothes and read books about Black feminism or autobiographies of influential people.
Director of Finance and Operations
781-259-8621 Ext. 95
she/her/hers
Susan Lowe is the Director of Finance and Operations and started at The Food Project in May of 2019. Her roles oversees finance, accounting, human resources, IT, and Facilities. For most of her career she served in leadership roles at various non-profits including those focusing on human rights, special education, and healthcare and serves on three boards of directors. She has an MSA from Bentley University, a BA from Bucknell University and is a licensed CPA in Massachusetts. When she is not working and volunteering, she can be found cheering for all Philadelphia sports teams, eating all of the great food her husband cooks, and playing with her cat.
Lynn Urban Agriculture Manager
781-259-8621 Ext. 9002
she/her/hers
Jenn served at The Food Project on the North Shore as a FoodCorps service member from 2015 to 2017, and got hooked on growing food for a living. After a year-long apprenticeship in organic vegetable production and livestock management at The Farm School, Jenn is thrilled to be back at The Food Project, combining her love of growing food with her love for community work and the city of Lynn. Jenn has a degree in social work and a background in outdoor education. In her free time, Jenn enjoys walking in the Lynn woods, laughing until she cries, and putting too much homemade hot sauce on breakfast food.
FoodCorps Service Member
978-886-7261
Ellie is currently serving as an Americorps FoodCorps service member for the 2018-2019 academic year. She is a graduate of Wheaton College in Massachusetts where she received her B.A. in Music and Anthropology with a focus on food and sustainable agriculture. Ellie is no stranger to farming. During and immediately after college, she interned on a variety of farms in Washington state, Maine, and Western Massachusetts. Ellie is excited to return to her homeland on Massachusetts’ North Shore and to be working with children. She hopes to engage and excite the young people she works with about the natural world, getting their hands dirty in the garden beds, and trying new whole foods! In her free time, you can Ellie playing the harp or striking a yoga pose.
Youth Development Specialist
Seed Crew and Dirt Crew (North Shore)
781-259-8621 x81
Ludia began her journey with The Food Project in 2009 as a summer Seed Crew worker. She is an alumna of all of our youth crews—Seed Crew, Dirt Crew, and Root Crew. During her time as a youth participant Ludia learned the importance of cultivating the land and each other across difference. She earned her B.S. in Public Health from Regis College and holds an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University. Currently, Ludia is working as a Youth Development Specialist facilitating The Food Project’s summer Seed Crew and academic year Dirt Crew. Transitioning from her native land of Freetown Sierra Leone 15 years ago, The Food Project has become a place for her to connect with her community here in the United States and connect with her agricultural ancestry.
Youth Development Specialist
617-442-1322 x55
Angel joined The Food Project during the summer of 2016 as a Seed Crew Leader. Prior to his work with The Food Project, he served as an AmeriCorps member and as a math tutor at Match Middle School in Boston. While working as a math tutor, Angel discovered a passion for engaging with young people that he brings to our organization. He holds a master’s degree in the History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and has a B.A. in Sociology from Princeton University, with minors in African American studies, Judaic studies, and Gender and Sexuality studies. Outside of the farm and office, Angel is a part of the CrossFit community and juggles reading three to four books at a time.
