Ally is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, a homesteader, an entrepreneur, a balanced lifestyle advocate, a systems thinker, a nature lover, and a mother to her daughter, Annabelle, along with many, many animals. Her passion for health, environment, and leadership led her to Food Forward. When she’s not working, she spends time with her partner, Mike, developing their off-grid regenerative farmstead along with hiking, climbing, playing in the lakes and rivers, cooking and crafting with friends, hanging out with the dogs in the snow, and seeking solace in the forest. 

Amberlee Norris grew up in Oregon, spending most of her time outdoors riding horses and exploring nature. Before relocating to Southern California, she lived in Denver where she embraced the outdoor culture and learned to love snowboarding, camping, hiking and backpacking. With a diverse accounting background in industries such as financial services, manufacturing and healthcare, Amberlee now channels her passion for meaningful work into her role at Food Forward. She appreciates knowing that the hard work the team is doing makes a meaningful impact on the community. In her free time, she enjoys growing houseplants, knitting, playing video games, and watching anime with her Shiba Inu.

I am originally from the state of Puebla in Mexico. I grew up in a town called Huachinantla. Growing up I attended school, worked in agriculture with my family, and enjoyed hunting. Prior to working at Food Forward I worked as a driver and dispatcher at the Wholesale Produce Market for 17 years. One day at work Luis explained what Food Forward does with donated produce and he told me he was looking for a driver. I was immediately interested! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing soccer and playing music with my band.

I am originally from Puebla, Mexico.  Before I worked at Food Forward, I was a driver in the produce industry for 15 years. I enjoy being a driver because I get to interact with people from many different countries and backgrounds. I enjoy working at Food Forward because we help many people in need. When I’m not working, I enjoy playing music with my band and spending time with my family.

Growing up in Santa Monica, CA as the daughter of a pediatrician and a frenchman, joy and food have always been interchangeable for Jessie. Whether she is whipping up chocolate mousse or discovering the best new bakery, food is always on her mind. She recently received her MPH in Nutrition from UC Berkeley where she delved deep into the worlds of nutrition science, policy, education, and research. She has experience as a pastry and savory cook in restaurants and as a public health researcher, consultant, and educator. She is excited to apply her well-rounded background to development at Food Forward! When she isn’t delving into all things food, she enjoys being completely immersed in the outdoors, whether it be trail running or swimming in the ocean, all the while listening to The Avett Brothers.

Sam Cahall spent her childhood in rural Kentucky running wild in the woods near her home. She attended Centre College and earned a degree in Sociology and Anthropology. After school she held various sales and food industry jobs, and served as an admin at an environmental nonprofit. She found the most joy in making granola on her boss’s one-acre homestead surrounded by goats, inspiring great interest in alternative food channels. In 2016 she traded out the Appalachian Foothills for the San Gabriel Mountains. To help get the lay of the land she canvassed Los Angeles for an environmental nonprofit but most recently was head of a bakery. Her aim to live by the motto to “leave things better than you found it” has returned her to the world of nonprofits. When she is not working, Sam is in the kitchen recreating family recipes and the delicious foods found in her new home. Apart from food, she also enjoys abandoning craft projects, reading, and spending time outdoors.

I am from Mexico, Monte Escobedo, Zacatecas. I grew up in an area of ​​Zacatecas called Rancho Jacales—it was a community of 80 people. I worked in a produce store for 17 years, and I was in charge of giving donations and I was interested in giving to help other people. That’s what made me think about working at Food Forward one day. One day, Luis proposed that I work with him. I could work every day and at the same time help people in need, so my decision was made. I like to cook and share new things to cook with my family.

David was born and raised in Colima, Mexico where he lived until he was 19 years old and decided to move to the United States. Before he joined Food Forward, he worked in DCG Distribution for 23 years. He was a warehouse worker that worked using a forklift driver, order puller, and inventory control. He would work with dry goods like school chocolate bars, avocado dry mixes up to regular merch like motorcycle tires and oil. What he found interesting about Food Forward is that it’s a nonprofit organization that focuses on food abundance through other agencies to help people in need. When David isn’t working, he loves spending time with his grandchildren and taking them to soccer practice.

Jen Cox grew up just outside of Detroit, Michigan on the sixth Great Lake, Lake St Clair. When she graduated from college, Jen moved to Washington, DC for a six-month internship that turned into a twenty-year career in environmental policy and organizing. After serving in nonprofit fundraising leadership at several advocacy organizations, Jen relocated to Los Angeles and built a consulting practice providing fundraising guidance on climate, environmental education, democracy reform, and social justice issues. Previous volunteer experience in food distribution inspired Jen to want to serve in her new hometown and led her to Food Forward. Jen earned her BA with a dual concentration in environmental policy and history at the University of Michigan and is certified in nonprofit management by Georgetown University’s professional development program. When not learning everything she can about Southern California’s fruit and vegetable abundance, Jen enjoys taking day trips to see the beauty of the coast and the desert, experiencing LA’s music legacy, and sampling the incredible tacos.

Jorge was born in Zacatecas, Mexico but grew up in sunny Whittier in California. After completing high school, he began to work at a fast-food restaurant for over 12 years. After that, he began working for a trucking company as a produce driver for another 12 years, where he met his longtime friend Jose Flores. One day, Jose spoke to Jorge and mentioned that Food Forward was looking to hire and Jorge immediately jumped on the opportunity. Jorge was interested in Food Forward because loves what the organization stands for. He liked the fact that Food Forward donates produce that in turn are given to families that are in need and in low-income communities. As a produce driver, he was able to see that there were hundreds of pounds being thrown away and therefore he admires what Food Forward does when it comes to them rescuing this perfectly good produce to then donate. When he heard that there was an opening, he knew he wanted to be a part of the team. When Jorge is not working, he likes to go to the gym when he can and also enjoys going hiking with his family. 

Ellen grew up in California’s central coast and graduated from the University of Puget Sound. She spent the next 20 years working as a Production Supervisor and Head of Production in the film industry producing hundreds of commercials. After her sons were born, she became active in the charter school movement and was a Founding Parent of two Los Angeles schools. Her passion for education, her concern for social justice and community service reshaped her work life and she transitioned to leadership roles supporting public charter schools—part of her mission being to improve organizational structures that would ensure students had access to services that increase their chances of success. She is thrilled to join the mission-driven team at Food Forward and to continue working in support of kids and families. Ellen lives in the San Fernando Valley with her family and their beloved dog Mac. She loves hiking, sharing meals with friends, art, board games and Jeopardy!

Melina is a New York City native who recently moved to Los Angeles. She previously worked in various forms of education, ranging from acting, to gardening, to queer sex ed. In 2020 she began volunteering with hunger relief organization City Harvest, working at their mobile markets and assisting with fundraising. After becoming so engaged with this work, Melina decided that this is what she wanted to pursue in Los Angeles, and is ecstatic that she gets to do so with Food Forward. In her free time, you can usually find Melina somewhere in the mountains, reading novels, or attempting to pet every cat in her immediate vicinity.

I was born February 21, in Juan Aldama Durango Mexico. Although I grew up in poverty, my parents managed to educate me by teaching me the importance of discipline, punctuality and responsibility. I was fortunate enough to have studied at the University in Durango, until the financial support put a burden on my parents. So 37 years ago, I decided to come to the United States in order to help my parents financially. I’ve worked in the produce industry for 22 years and during this time I have had the pleasure of meeting a few of my current colleagues. I then received a phone call from Bonfil, about a job opportunity at Food Forward. It caught my attention to learn how many homes and lives are impacted by Food Forward and I wanted to be a part of the change. I’ve been happily married for 30 years. I enjoy spending quality time with my wife and making her laugh with my craziness and jokes. I also have a passion for music and know how to play a few instruments. I like to keep myself informed and am always willing to learn.

I grew up in Salvatierra, Guanajuato, Mexico. I have been working in agriculture since my early teens with my grandfather and later on the tomato harvest in Merced, California. At first it was very tiring but as time passed it helped me learn the value of hard work and gave me a great appreciation for the produce business. Before coming to Food Forward I worked in Los Angeles Wholesale produce market as a warehouse clerk and supervisor for 19 years. One day while I was talking to Luis about the work Food Forward does and asked him to let me know about job openings. I find the work very interesting and really value being able to help people in need, especially low-income families. In my free time, I like to play the electric bass and practice with a Norteño band. And I also enjoy spending time with my family.

Allison grew up in New England, and stayed close for college, studying Communications at Northeastern University. Upon graduation, Allison made the move out West and spent 6+ years at TOMS Shoes, helping to build and execute global partnerships. She continued to work in the marketing/partnerships space for other for-profit companies, and is now excited to bring her background in relationship building and campaign management to support Food Forward’s fundraising efforts

Diane grew up in suburban Los Angeles, where she and her siblings used to pick avocados from their backyard and sell them 8 for $1! After college at UC San Diego and earning a Stanford MBA, Diane’s early career focused on finance, strategic planning, and change management with large and small for-profit organizations. She also started teaming up with other MBAs to do pro-bono projects with nonprofits, and gained tremendous satisfaction from seeing the “ah-ha” moments created when talented people with different backgrounds blend their best ideas to tackle social issues and create impact. As a result, she became increasingly passionate about applying her skills to help organizations improve people’s lives. Diane has since focused her career on supporting community-based organizations, and has worked with over 200 nonprofits in her roles as an executive director, grantmaker, professional services provider, and consultant. When she met Rick and Food Forward in 2010, she became an instant fan of the organization, so was thrilled to join the staff in 2021!

Alden found Food Forward while looking for outdoor volunteer opportunities in community gardening and agriculture. She studied biology at the University of Chicago and has since explored a careers in reproductive healthcare and science writing. From Southern California, Alden grows her roots in Los Angeles through the indie improv scene and spending as much time in as many green spaces as possible. She’s wondering if she can pet your dog and if you know of any bands looking for a bass player.

 After a long career in newspapers, Andrea Howry planted new roots and became the Ventura County Branch Coordinator in July of 2019. She’d been leading backyard fruit harvests for about four years, hooked after the first pick when she found a bird’s nest in a citrus tree with a tiny blue egg inside. She and her husband have lived in Ventura for 32 years, raising three kids and several rescued dogs. She is a graduate of Stanford University and enjoys hiking and reading.

Nancy Hsu has more than 16 years of experience as a nonprofit fundraiser. She brings a depth of knowledge and passion to development work and is thrilled to support Food Forward’s mission. Nancy subscribes to the philosophy that the true measure of any society is found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. She has volunteered at soup kitchens, food pantries, and with a food rescue organization. She is also an avid composter. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Nancy earned her BA at Barnard College where she studied political science. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games, eating good food and exploring LA! On Sundays, she can be found at the Hollywood Farmers Market as both a shopper and vendor’s assistant!

Jodi moved to California with her parents and four siblings when she was two and was raised in the North San Fernando Valley. Not one to move far from what is comfortable, she graduated from CSUN with a degree in Communications and currently lives in Northridge – very close to the CSUN Orange Groves! During COVID she and her family spent time walking their dog Oliver through the groves and were thankful for those moments outside!   

Jodi started her career in corporate legal recruitment and transitioned to a generalist in human resources when she found working with and helping employees beyond hiring added to her day and to the joy in the work she does. She has worked with ONEgeneration as well as in private education and is the happiest when supporting mission-driven organizations! Jodi will do what she can to spend time with her husband and three kids. College sports, theater, concerts, and time spent at the beach, or camping near lakes (where she loves to kayak and jet ski) are considered her best spent moments.

Kristen grew up on a small ranch in the mountains between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Growing up working, hiking, skiing, camping, and playing under the endless New Mexico sky, Kristen developed a deep respect for nature and sustainability. She left New Mexico to attend Northwestern University and quickly realized her love of the outdoors was no match for Chicago’s winters. Kristen and her husband moved to Los Angeles, where she earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of California Los Angeles School of Law. After graduating, Kristen decided to follow her heart and put her legal education to work in the nonprofit world. She was part of a visionary team that founded an independent school with a mission to develop ethical leaders and provide an excellent education to students from diverse backgrounds. Kristen lives in the Hollywood Dell with her husband, Jay, and their menagerie of rescue animals. When she is not recovering food or rescuing animals, Kristen enjoys running slow marathons, building wobbly furniture as an amateur woodworker, water and snow skiing, and gardening.

Madi grew up in the Bay Area and made her way down the coast to UC Santa Barbara for college. Her passion for food justice work was sparked while making sandwiches at the Isla Vista Food Cooperative. She realized the power that food equity has to strengthen and empower communities, and has dedicated her career to helping get nutritious food into the hands of those who need it most. She’s delved into a number of different avenues for improving our food system—startups, food cooperatives, farms, nonprofits, mutual aid groups—and is so excited to continue this work with Food Forward! When she’s not chatting with volunteers, you can find Madi photosynthesizing on the Elysian Trail, working on an art project with her friends, or collecting tchotchkes at a flea market.

Phoebe first discovered Food Forward and her interest in reducing food waste when she started volunteering for the Farmer’s Market Recovery Program in 2014. She furthered her interest in agriculture and sustainability when she studied Environmental Science at California Lutheran University. When she wasn’t studying, she spent a lot of time with her hands in the soil, growing and planting produce at the University’s Garden. However, she knew that there was something missing and wanted to do more for her community. When she is not working, you can find her knitting and crocheting, making pottery, and hanging out with her dog.

Michael grew up in cities across Orange County, using regional park trailheads and small public beaches to take refuge from well-manicured suburban living. He studied Public Affairs at UCLA, where he pursued a breadth of research, policy advocacy, and peer mentorship experiences. While exploring post-grad opportunities to combine his interest in capacity-building with his writing and research skills, Michael fell in love with Food Forward’s simple yet powerful mission and became the organization’s Grants Coordinator in April 2023. When he’s not working, you can find Michael out on a training run, tinkering with effects pedals for his electric guitar setup, or exploring LA’s meager (but growing!) selection of hot honey pizza.

I was born and grew up among the rolling hills of Villa Purificacion, Jalisco, Mexico. In my hometown, I was a rancher. I grew up growing food, being around animals, and I enjoyed drinking warm fresh raw milk with chocolate and sugar. We had plantain trees, apple trees and horses. My favorite horses were named Retinto and Rebel. Before coming to Food Forward I worked in construction, as a butcher, a driver and in a grocery store. Five years prior to working at Food Forward, I started and developed a food recovery for my church. and it was God’s plan for me to find Food Forward. When I’m not working, I like to preach God’s word and work as a missionary.

Ayden is East Coast born and bred, having lived in Boston and New York. She studied the intersection of Politics and Entrepreneurship at NYU with a focus in non-profits. Ayden committed most of her summers to working with her hands—either in the dirt on farms or rolling out dough in bakeries. After a quarter life crisis sent her cross country to Ventura, she became a cheesemonger! Learning about California cheeses sparked an interest in the local farming and food ecosystems of Ventura County. Her passion for food justice, farming and small local nonprofits led her to Food Forward. When not working, you can find Ayden eating lots of cheese, surfing, throwing pottery or doing some extravagant baking project!

I was born in a small town in the mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico. I grew up in a poor family, what my parents made was not enough to provide for my 12 brothers and sisters. So I would help my neighbors out for very little pay. I helped harvest corn, and helped out on a cattle farm. During my town’s festivals, I fell in love with a beautiful woman. So I followed her down to the US and married her. She changed my life, a lot of my success I owe to her. Because I have lived through poverty and food insecurity, I’ve always admired the people that help others out. One day, I was presented with the opportunity to be a part of Food Forward and that’s how I am here today. I’m very pleased with what I do and hope my story inspires others.

Martha was born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles, in the small town of El Sereno. As a middle child, she always marched to the beat of her own drum. She was determined not to be a product of her environment. As she grew in age and witnessing all the chaos around her, she made it her life’s mission to be different. Martha became active in her community by volunteering for cleanups and other community labors. Looking for a different outlet, Martha found herself looking for a new place to redirect her passion for helping the community. She worked for the produce industry for 10 years before joining Food Forward. There she developed a professional relationship with Food Forward before becoming part of the Food Forward team. In her free time, Martha enjoys everything horror and tacos!

I am originally from Chiquimula, Guatemala. In Guatemala, I worked as a sign painter on the road and as a driver and brewer for Gallo brewery. I was a brewer.  I’ve worked as a driver in the produce industry in Los Angeles for 30 years and now I’m working with donated produce! My favorite thing about working for Food Forward is the schedule. In my free time, I enjoy being with my family and fishing.

Herb’s Family comes from El Salvador, a small country in Central America. Herb graduated from Bell Gardens High School, class of 2002, and attended college at East Los Angeles college, but with three daughters by the age of 23, he needed to work up to three jobs at once during his twenties. Herb has worked warehouse and supermarket distribution where he climbed the ladder up to warehouse supervisor and also has worked for third party contractors in oil refineries where he was promoted to site supervisor. Herb has recently become a Godly man. As a follower of Jesus Christ, and in working at Food Forward, he feels has doing God’s work as he is connected to the mission. When Herb isn’t working, you can find him with his daughters. 

Before founding Food Forward in 2009, Rick was an award-winning photographer and writer who focused on the faces and stories of marginalized communities. His formal training as a cook, along with his exploration of California’s agricultural workforce in his body of work entitled “The Migrant Project: Contemporary California Farm Workers” gave him a deep appreciation of and involvement in both the gourmet cooking and food justice worlds. These varied interests, along with his conviction that access to healthy, fresh, nutritious food is a human right, culminated in him coming aboard as full-time Executive Director of Food Forward in 2011.

He’s spoken internationally on food justice and social innovation issues, and his work has been profiled in dozens of media outlets including The Washington Post, PBS NewsHour, The Guardian, Sunset Magazine, NPR, and The Los Angeles Times. Rick has served as a regional delegate to the Slow Food/Terra Madre Conference in Torino and as a Ralph M. Parsons Fellow, and won Fast Pitch competitions for Food Forward in California and Texas. He received an inaugural Trailblazer Award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals in 2016, and the TIAA Difference Maker award in 2018. He was named a Food Champion by LA City Council, a 2017-18 Senior Fellow at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Policy, one of 40 Inspiring Leaders by the Center for Nonprofit Management, and a 2020 Impact-Maker to Watch by Los Angeles City Council & Board of Supervisors. Rick serves on the Leadership Circle of the LA Food Policy Council.

Nkemdilim comes to Food Forward with years of experience in entertainment, digital media, and building nonprofit partnerships. Her passion for education, service, and equity led her to Food Forward, and she has jumped right in to help expand Food Forward’s humanitarian efforts.

I was born in a small town pueblo called San Miguel in the country of El Salvador. My name is Omar but everyone calls me Panchito. I had previously worked at a produce company where my boss at the time thought my name was too difficult to remember so he decided to call me Panchito, and it has stuck ever since. There was a period in my life, where I was in need of help, and I was helped out by some amazing people. That inspired me to want to do the same, so when I heard there was an opportunity for me to be a part of Food Forward, I quickly approached Leo with interest. Since then, I’ve been doing my part in helping the community out. I spend my free time with my granddaughter and family. 

I was born in Morelos, México and I migrated to the United States when I was 18. I moved to Los Angeles and started to work in a warehouse as a shipper/receiver. After 15 years, I began to work in the produce industry. I was referred to Food Forward by a friend. Just like the mission here at Food Forward, I, too, believe in helping the community fight hunger. I enjoy hiking, fishing, and a nice meal with my family.

Janelle has called many places home throughout her life (Wisconsin, Nebraska, Florida, and more) but is thrilled to make roots in Los Angeles with Food Forward. Since completing her undergraduate degree in Molecular Environmental Biology in 2019, she has always pursued opportunities to have a positive impact on both people and the planet. She believes deeply that creating a more cyclical and equitable food system is a critical solution to a sustainable future, and is excited to support this mission with Food Forward. Janelle identifies as a multipotentialite and is always in pursuit of learning a new sport, craft, or language. She also enjoys writing favorable Yelp reviews of local restaurants and dancing with her whole heart at live music events.

Aubrey was born and raised in San Fernando Valley and traded it in for chilly England, studying Nutrition at Oxford Brookes University. Upon returning to the sunshine in Los Angeles, she found herself in a variety of roles, but none more influential than her volunteer work with APLA, where she developed and taught health classes to her LA neighbors living with AIDS. Aubrey quickly realized that education was not enough when access to nutritious foods is not available to all. In an effort to combine her love of nutrition and her passion for food justice, she applied to join the team at Food Forward, and…ta-da! When she’s not working, you can find her checking out a new coffee shop, finding her zen (or trying to) in a yoga class, or brushing her ridiculously fluffy cats.

 I am originally from the northern part of Guatemala, the countryside. Growing up, my family had a dairy farm and we had to milk 100 cows before going to school in the morning. My father was an agricultural business engineer and I followed his steps  becoming an agricultural business engineer. I moved to the USA in 1991. Before Food Forward, I worked for a church and developed a food recovery program similar to the Wholesale Recovery Program  Luis and I competed for the same donations at the Wholesale Market, and he always told me that he had a big plan (the Pit Stop!) and we were going to work together. I always have the willingness to help those in need and that was one of the big reasons I came to Food Forward. We can help the world be a better place by providing for those who experience food insecurity with a smile and respect. When I’m not working, I’m a churchgoer so that occupies most of my time. I also like to cook and spend time with my family and friends.

Victor was born and raised in El Salto Jalisco. Before joining the Food Forward team as a driver, he worked for a produce company as a truck driver for about six years. What interested
him about Food Forward is their passion to help others. He found it interesting on how many people are willing to donate. When Victor isn’t working, he loves spending time with his family sightseeing and hiking.

Vivian Poonsopin was born and raised in North Hollywood climbing trees, digging holes, and getting stuck in each. She went to college for a bachelor’s in animation, later again for computer graphics but eventually fell into event production. During her time working at festivals, she saw firsthand the piles of waste left behind and the impact on the environment, and something inside her shifted. It was serendipity that she was riding her bike down the same street as the Food Forward office and saw the van parked on the street. She looked Food Forward up online and from then knew she had to be part of it. When not roaming around the offices she can be found watching cartoons, playing video games, or tending to random animals and plants in her life.

Angie was born and raised in the sunny city of Los Angeles. During her high school years, she got involved in a community project that focused on giving low-income communities closer access to healthier food. After assisting with two liquor stores’ makeovers into grocery stores for the East LA community, she volunteered her summers at a nonprofit agency that dedicated projects to the community like sharing healthy recipes to Hispanic families in a booth at farmers markets. Years later, Angie found herself helping communities once again when she became part of Food Forward. When she’s not working, you can find Angie writing short stories on the comfiness of her favorite chair or spending time gardening with her daughter.

I came to this country 45 years ago from Zacatecas, Mexico. My father was not present in my life so from a very early age, I worked the fields to help my mother provide for 7 siblings and me. I’ve been working in this country for 40 years, and this has been the job that has fascinated me the most. It has motivated me to do better. I feel fulfilled as my true passion is giving back. As a father of four and now also a grandfather of 4, I spend most of my free time helping my wife out around the house, sweeping, mopping, you name it! 

Franchesca grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California before making her way further inland to UC Riverside for college. After receiving a BA for Global Studies, she immediately put that degree into use by joining Peace Corps Panama for two years. She served as an Environmental Volunteer working with community members to install household solar panels, implement sustainable agricultural systems, and integrate more environmental education in the local school curriculum. She returned to the US in 2019 and moved to Los Angeles in 2020. Committed to community outreach and sustainability, she worked for the Los Angeles Conservation Corps as a Crew Supervisor and then Universal Waste Systems as a Zero Waste Specialist. Through these experiences and her volunteer work at grocery distributions, food pantries, and compost hubs, Franchesca became increasingly interested in food waste diversion and ensuring that nutritious food is being used to feed people and not landfills. Franchesca is excited to work with Food Forward in their mission to fight food waste. In her free time, you can usually find Franchesca in nature hiking or camping with friends and family or looking for a cute coffee shop to lollygag in.

Charles grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and spent his college days attending the University of California Berkeley where he found his passion for Thai food, yoga, and gardening. After college, Charles returned to Southern California to try his hand in the food industry. He started on the quality assurance side and then made his way to research and development. In 2017, Charles returned to get his Master’s in Public Health from Loma Linda University. Charles is coming to Food Forward from the LA County Department of Public Health. He’s looking forward to getting back to his roots working in the community.

Liz grew up in the Bay Area in a family of food lovers, gardeners, and farmers. She moved to LA County to attend Pitzer College and has lived in the area ever since. While majoring in Media Studies, she interned at Red Hen Press in Pasadena and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. After a few years of freelance writing after graduating, Liz found Food Forward as a place to combine her passions for community building, food, writing, and media. On the weekends, she’s likely baking bread, looking at bugs in her garden, or swimming in the ocean.

Betsy hails from Oklahoma and spent her childhood summers selling produce at farmers markets and devouring her mom’s homemade plum jam, made with plums her family gleaned from trees on country roads. She ventured to Boston for college, where she studied Sociology and Global Health and Health Policy and mentored Boston youth outside the classroom. After graduation and one too many April snowstorms, she moved to Los Angeles to direct Better Angels, a nonprofit supporting low-income L.A. high school students through the college admissions and transition process. Her students, who often battled hunger and poverty, confirmed her desire to work toward a better local food system for communities in need. Betsy began volunteering at an urban farm in her neighborhood and eventually found Food Forward. When she’s not supervising Food Forward’s stellar volunteers, you can find her hiking, road tripping with a good playlist, and being a good auntie to the many dogs in her life.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Janet is excited to contribute to Food Forward and its important mission.  She loves LIFE, PEOPLE, and FOOD!  Happy to be here.

I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. My biggest wish was to come to the United States and I feel very blessed to be living here in CA where I met my wife and we had a family. I have always been surrounded by fruits my whole life, starting from a very young age. Produce is the only industry that I have known my whole life, from working as a small age all the way as a driver that I am now. I love what this company does because Food Forward help so many people that do not have the means to place food on their table. I love knowing that I am part of a company that helps many people in the area. I love spending time with my family at home. I love spending quality time with all my families and my little girls. I also enjoy watching soccer. My favorite team is Pumas from the Mexican league.

Samantha Teslik was born and raised in the SFV in a home surrounded by citrus, avocado & stone fruit trees. She left the valley to spend 6 years living in Hoboken, New Jersey to earn a Masters Degree in Food Studies from NYU and manage youth education programs at NYC’s Greenmarkets, but always knew (particularly during winters) that Southern California would be where she called home again. She is thrilled to bring her experience educating students about the importance of eating fresh, local produce to Food Forward and help folks further appreciate and engage with the bounty of regional fruit trees we are blessed to live among. When she isn’t advocating others to harvest fruit & fight food waste, Samantha enjoys camping and hiking, cooking and eating, petting cats, and spending time with her growing family.

Kelsey is a native Ohioan who grew up in a family of avid gardeners and conservationists. After graduating college, she moved to Los Angeles and worked in the food service industry for several years. Seeing the amount of food waste this industry created in the midst of so much need ignited her interest in environmental justice and hunger relief. In 2019, Kelsey began working at the Museum of Contemporary Art where she gained experience creating zero-waste event infrastructure and sustainability-oriented programming. She is excited to continue fighting food insecurity and giving back to the community with the Food Forward team.

I’m originally from Nayarit, Mexico. I grew up in a small town called Borbollon in the municipality of Compostela. Before I came to this country I studied, worked in agriculture and enjoyed playing soccer in my free time. Before I came to Food Forward I worked in a produce company as a driver for about 16 years. I got interested in working for Food Forward when I learned about the mission. I truly appreciate that our produce is distributed 100% free and is available for everyone in the community no matter their race. When I am not working I enjoy running in the park and when I am home I find many things to do in my free time, such as mowing the lawn and organizing everything.

Sierra grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, exploring the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. She studied Public Policy at the University of California, Riverside where she committed her career to public service. After graduating, Sierra enjoyed an eight-year stint in Boulder, Colorado. As a member of her local CSA, she fell in love with community-sustained agriculture and sharing the abundance. Sierra brings diverse nonprofit experience in fundraising, volunteer management, program leadership, and operations. Following three years of grant writing for international and local nonprofits, Sierra and her family planted permanent roots in Southern California. She joined Food Forward as Grants Manager in October 2021, combining her passion for connecting people with local, nutritious food with her skills in fundraising. When she’s not working, you can find Sierra trying a new outdoor activity, tending to her plants, or spending time with her husband and two furry children.

Christopher hails from the great midwestern city of St. Louis, Missouri. Passionate about photography, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Photojournalism (2007) and is a avid street photographer in his spare time. Besides his main interest, Christopher also has a revolving set of hobbies including playing music (bass), DJing (all vinyl), pinball, disc golf, biking and collecting retro video games. A turning point in his life came when volunteering at The Alameda County Food Bank in Oakland, California in 2012. Christopher decided right then and there that his goal in life was to use his skills to help people (thus starting his path to working at a non-profit organization). Christopher also holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology (2016) and his last job was teaching art to adults with disabilities at a day program in St. Louis. Christopher currently resides in Ojai, California with his girlfriend Chloe and dog Jake.

Amir first joined Food Forward in 2013. He was raised in his family’s restaurants in Echo Park, working as soon as he was old enough to stop breaking dishes, and eventually owned his own Latin American Fast Food joint on Hollywood Blvd. His experience includes over 16+ years of accounting and finance as well as 4+ years as Food Forward’s Operations Director, where he did a little bit of everything and helped us grow from an organization of 6 employees to 24. With the birth of his son, Remy in 2017, Amir took a 2 year hiatus to be a semi-decent homemaker and awesome stay at home dad! He is excited and grateful to once again walk the zesty halls of the Fruit Cave and rejoin his fellow Fruitopians!