Meet Emily!
As Red Tomato’s Food Access Coordinator, I help connect farms with schools, institutions, and hunger relief organizations to move fresh food where it’s needed most. I grew up growing vegetables and raising hens in my parents’ Rhode Island backyard, which sparked my passion for local food systems early on. After earning degrees in Business Administration and Sustainability Management, I spent six seasons working on small farms across Rhode Island and Massachusetts before joining the Market Mobile team at Farm Fresh RI. Along the way, I connected with an incredible network of growers and organizations that showed me the many ways local food economies can thrive. I’m passionate about helping farmers focus on growing while making it easier for communities to access high-quality produce from farm to fork.
Why Red Tomato?
RT’s enthusiasm is palpable, knowledge deep, and strategy nimble, allowing them to stay relevant and keep doing business in the face of ever-changing conditions. Their strong relationships with growers, customers, and other organizations further attests to their commitment to a more resilient local food system, and I’m thrilled to be a part of their team.
Tell us about you!
I started my first farmstand when I was 7 and my most consistent customer was the mailman (thanks, John!). I’m not always hustling, though, and equally enjoy cozy days at home with my husband and three cats.
What’s your “this one’s worth the effort” crop?
Potatoes! There’s nothing quite like the aroma released after impaling a rotten seed potato with your fingers. For a good tuber, though, I’d do anything.