Patience IS a virtue, but it's also a much-needed tool, especially when it comes to job searching. Leanne was lucky to have a mentor in college who introduced her to sustainable food, but it wasn't until she started working in the field that she developed a passion for food justice. Now she's satisfying both cravings at Ample Harvest, which connects good food with the people who need it most. We'd say it was worth the wait.

When did you know that you wanted to work in food?

I went to a small liberal arts college in Northeast PA sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy - it was there that Sister Constance Kozel, RSM opened my eyes to the concept of food justice with questions such as: Is my food being sustainably grown? How far did it travel to get to my plate? Are workers getting a fair wage? etc.  She piqued my interest in taking an active role in where my food is coming from and she introduced me to a local organic farmer who was running a CSA. For 3 summers, I interned with Lent's Organics CSA and that was the start of my love affair with growing my own food, encouraging others to eat locally and taking a closer look at food justice and the inequities that exist domestically and internationally.

I was also fortunate to learn about social justice issues revolving around food when I was the SERVE Coordinator at King's College. I took students on Alternative Break experiences to El Salvador, Mexico, and numerous locations across the U.S.  - One particular event that had a tremendous impact on me was the food justice experience at a volunteer center in Camden, NJ. We were asked to form small "families" with other volunteers and to meal plan and grocery shop for our families with a $3 per person allowance - or the amount allocated per person/per day for those needing the assistance of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). This experience was eye-opening and revealed to me how almost impossible it is for those on a limited income to purchase healthy and nutritious food.

From my experiences working on a local organic farm and volunteering domestically and internationally, I knew that someday I wanted to work for a non-profit that focuses on hunger-related issues. My new position as Food Pantry Outreach Coordinator at AmpleHarvest.org complements those two passions perfectly! AmpleHarvest.org is an online tool that connects gardeners and growers to food pantries across the country who are looking to receive fresh produce donations for their clients. AmpleHarvest.org makes it possible for growers and gardeners who have too much produce to eat, preserve or give to friends, to donate those veggies to neighbors in need.

How did you get your current good food job?

The Food Pantry Outreach Coordinator position at AmpleHarvest.org was sent to me as a posting from Good Food Jobs! That's the only way I would have known about the position and opening at AmpleHarvest.

What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in pursuing your Good Food Job dream?

I think it was just about having patience and trusting that the right opportunities would come up at the right time. As frustrating as it was when I was searching for the "perfect" position to combine my skills and passions, I wouldn't have been as prepared for my current job without those experiences - they were stepping stones along the way and they taught me a lot of valuable skills that are transferable to my current position.

What can you identify as the greatest opportunities in food right now?

I think people have a desire to go back to basics - from restaurants looking to source more and more of their food from local farms, to consumers intentionally patronizing small, local, seasonal restaurants, to food banks and pantries seeking healthier, fresher options to help those on a limited income. I think ultimately people really want to know where their food is coming from, they want to make healthier choices, they want to support local farmers or grow it themselves - the local and slow food movement has a lot of momentum and I'm looking forward to seeing how folks in the food industry creatively respond to that demand.

If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?

Really good food - fresh, local organic veggies, really good olive oil, really good wine/beer, and really good cheese and bread! That would keep me happy.