Meet the Board
Board of Directors
MARIANNE MORTARA, Vice Chair
Born into a 'slow cooking' Italian family, Marianne carries on the tradition of wonderful food shared around a table of family and friends. Her long association with Slow Food celebrates that tradition, as well as educates her about local food sources and global food issues. She hopes to continue to make a difference in our food system by championing the Slow Food values of "Good, Clean & Fair Food for All."
Born into a 'slow cooking' Italian family, Marianne carries on the tradition of wonderful food shared around a table of family and friends. Her long association with Slow Food celebrates that tradition, as well as educates her about local food sources and global food issues. She hopes to continue to make a difference in our food system by championing the Slow Food values of "Good, Clean & Fair Food for All."
JENNIFER GARRETT, Community Partnerships & Programming
Jennifer Garrett is a freelance project manager and event producer focused on partnership development in the local food space. She specializes in engaging audiences with unique and thoughtful food related programming and educational events. Jenifer's clients have included the Nantucket Wine Festival, Massachusetts Cheese Guild, and Let’s Talk About Food among others. A former picky eater, her “deserted island foods” now include asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and any kind of red meat. Her hobbies include traveling, visiting art museums, and eating charcuterie.
Jennifer Garrett is a freelance project manager and event producer focused on partnership development in the local food space. She specializes in engaging audiences with unique and thoughtful food related programming and educational events. Jenifer's clients have included the Nantucket Wine Festival, Massachusetts Cheese Guild, and Let’s Talk About Food among others. A former picky eater, her “deserted island foods” now include asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and any kind of red meat. Her hobbies include traveling, visiting art museums, and eating charcuterie.
CHRIS KIEFFER, Treasurer
Chris grew up in Southern PA near Amish country with strong seasonal food traditions and a mother who took classes in everything from cake decorating to Japanese vegetable carving. As a “fun” class during his MBA studies he starting taking wine classes at BU. His interest in wine led to making wine himself, and eventually acting as vineyard manager and winemaker at a winery on Boston’s North Shore. Chris hopes to share his interest in local food traditions and food produced with passion with the Slow Food Community.
Chris grew up in Southern PA near Amish country with strong seasonal food traditions and a mother who took classes in everything from cake decorating to Japanese vegetable carving. As a “fun” class during his MBA studies he starting taking wine classes at BU. His interest in wine led to making wine himself, and eventually acting as vineyard manager and winemaker at a winery on Boston’s North Shore. Chris hopes to share his interest in local food traditions and food produced with passion with the Slow Food Community.
JAIME LEVESQUE, Board Secretary
Jaime is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about the local food scene and food advocacy. During trips to Italy, she learned much about eating seasonally, regionally and sustainably along with the tradition of gathering together to enjoy meals with family and friends. She enjoys weekend trips to the farmer’s market to pick up ingredients to bring home and get creative with in the kitchen and through this she has discovered many of the delicious local foods that the Boston area has to offer. Jaime is excited to be able share her knowledge of food and inspire others within the community to cook and appreciate all that New England food has to offer.
Jaime is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about the local food scene and food advocacy. During trips to Italy, she learned much about eating seasonally, regionally and sustainably along with the tradition of gathering together to enjoy meals with family and friends. She enjoys weekend trips to the farmer’s market to pick up ingredients to bring home and get creative with in the kitchen and through this she has discovered many of the delicious local foods that the Boston area has to offer. Jaime is excited to be able share her knowledge of food and inspire others within the community to cook and appreciate all that New England food has to offer.
JEANNE LIN, Website & Digital Content Curator
Jeanne is interested in exploring the local agriculture, gastronomy, and diverse food cultures of Massachusetts and other parts of the world. She discovered Slow Food Boston through the Tour de Farms bike tour in 2013 and was an active member of LexFarm. When she's not experimenting in the kitchen, she enjoys exploring the local dining scene and new food innovations during her travels.
Jeanne is interested in exploring the local agriculture, gastronomy, and diverse food cultures of Massachusetts and other parts of the world. She discovered Slow Food Boston through the Tour de Farms bike tour in 2013 and was an active member of LexFarm. When she's not experimenting in the kitchen, she enjoys exploring the local dining scene and new food innovations during her travels.
RACHEL ORCHARD, Board Chair
Rachel’s favorite way of learning about other cultures is through food and the stories behind it. Her time in Italy revealed to her a cuisine defined by seasonal and regional flavors, and her desire to return to this simple philosophy have drawn her to Slow Food. When she’s not taking photos and writing about her latest creations in the kitchen, she’s crossing a restaurant off her ever-expanding list, rolling out homemade pasta, or watching the latest food documentary. Rachel’s experience working with chefs and other local organizations to combat food waste and promote sustainable food systems have revealed to her a bustling and passionate food world in Boston. She’s looking forward to being even further immersed in the unique regionality of New England cuisine and promoting food that is sustainable from farm to fork through involvement with her local Slow Food chapter.
Rachel’s favorite way of learning about other cultures is through food and the stories behind it. Her time in Italy revealed to her a cuisine defined by seasonal and regional flavors, and her desire to return to this simple philosophy have drawn her to Slow Food. When she’s not taking photos and writing about her latest creations in the kitchen, she’s crossing a restaurant off her ever-expanding list, rolling out homemade pasta, or watching the latest food documentary. Rachel’s experience working with chefs and other local organizations to combat food waste and promote sustainable food systems have revealed to her a bustling and passionate food world in Boston. She’s looking forward to being even further immersed in the unique regionality of New England cuisine and promoting food that is sustainable from farm to fork through involvement with her local Slow Food chapter.
Massachusetts Governors
MICHELLE MOON, MA Co-Governor
School Garden Initiative
ANDREW NOWACK, National Director
LAUREN HOWE, National Co-Director
SALLY BOURDON, National School Garden Intern