Meet Our Development Director—Lissa Harris

Food Connects is excited to welcome Lissa Harris to their Development team as their new Development Director. This new position will strengthen Food Connects’ fundraising efforts, create and execute the organization's Annual Development Plan and Capital Campaigns, and support the organization’s continued growth.

Lissa officially joined the team in July after previously working with the Food Connects team on various projects throughout early 2021. Before joining the Food Connects, Lissa held positions at Strolling of the Heifers and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, responsible for marketing, fundraising, and more.

We are thrilled to have her on the team and are excited to share more about her!

What sparked your interest in Food Connects and why are you excited to be here?

I had a chance to work with Food Connects on some community projects earlier this year. I realized very quickly that Food Connects is primed to be a leader in the establishment of a new food system that relies less on mass production and more on added value to our community. The organization is collaborative by nature. One of the reasons I moved here from New York was the access to farm-fresh food and a culture that values healthy eating and a focus on earth-affirming growing practices. Food tastes better when it doesn't have to travel across continents to get to our local supermarkets. There are so many great farms here, I feel very lucky!

What do you see for the future of FC and what you will do here? What are your hopes/dreams for this position?

Food Connects is really poised to be at the center of a different kind of food system, one that doesn't rely on large corporations like Sysco or Tyson. Going to my favorite restaurant and knowing that some of the ingredients they cook with are grown right here in Vermont or New Hampshire makes all the difference. I want to use my experience in development and fundraising to make sure Food Connects has the capital it needs to grow and expand its markets so more people have access to healthy, nutritious food.

How will your previous non-profit experience impact your work at Food Connects?

Non-profit work is full of passion for the mission and I'll use that drive to create enthusiasm for the work that Food Connects does. I've worked for both locally and nationally based non-profits throughout my career. I can take some of the skills I've learned working for organizations like the American Cancer Society and apply a local focus.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Before anything, I'm a mom, so the question should be how do you spend your time outside of being a mom! Both my kids are still in school and need me, which I love. But I'm raising them to not need me, that's the point I guess. I'm also raising them to love horror movies as much as I do.

What is your favorite or least favorite food?

Seafood! I grew up on Long Island, in a small beach town, so summertime was lobster time! My brother-in-law is a clammer so having fresh clams on the half shell was such a treat. I've been to more clam bakes than I can count! When we go back to NY to visit family I make sure I go to my favorite seafood restaurants.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?

I've been playing piano since I was 4 years old. I'm classically trained, which is a shame because I love playing pop music from all decades. I'm also a mediocre drummer and I can play a little ukulele too. I come from a long line of musicians and music lovers.

If I handed you a plane ticket right now to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would probably go to Italy, specifically Sclafani, which is a town near Palermo in Sicily. That's where my grandfather's family was from and there is a street named after the family, Via Varca!.

Meet Our New Development Manager—Vickie Case

Food Connects is excited to welcome Vickie Case to the team as our Development Manager. In this new position—which was separated apart from our marketing work—Vickie will connect the organization to more community members, businesses, and organizations throughout the region and strengthen its annual fund program.

Vickie joined the Food Connects team in early February and previously worked at Retreat Farm. She is excited to help grow and fortify both Food Connects Farm to School and Food Hub programs and we are thrilled to have her on the team.

What interested you most about Food Connects and why are you excited to start working here?

My interest in Food Connects stemmed from hearing about the Farm to School Program and its impact on kids and school staff throughout the county and strengthened by the Food Hub while supporting local farms and farmers bringing healthy nutritious choices to the school lunch programs.

Why is the local food movement important to you?

The local food movement has been important to me for many years. I’ve been an active member of the Hunger Council and volunteering to cook meals for the Overflow Shelter, committing to purchasing only food grown and raised locally.

What do you see for the future of FC and what you will do here? What are your hopes/dreams for this position?

My hopes and dreams for Food Connects are that it continues to grow and directly impact our communities by raising awareness of the importance of supporting and sustaining our local food systems. As Development Manager, I see it as my responsibility and mission to help businesses understand FC and how they can help support its efforts.

How will your work experience and community connections help Food Connects grow?

Having been a teacher for most of my adult life, combined with community service and jobs that required me to reach out to businesses and town leaders my position at Food Connects seems like a perfect fit. Helping to subsidize the Farm to School Program by engaging local businesses supporting the schools in their towns seems like an excellent place to start. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a Business Leadership Council made up of businesses interested in setting the pace for other businesses to get involved by raising awareness of the importance of supporting local farms while encouraging healthy eating habits in both children and adults.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work, I spend my time relaxing at home, helping my husband in the garden, and having friends over for dinner.

What is your favorite or least favorite food?

Since purchasing an air fryer, any and all food that fits in an air fryer has become my favorite food! My least favorite food is anything that does not fit in an air fryer!!

If you could be any supernatural creature, what would you be and why?

I’d be a Jackalope. Since a Jackalope is 80 percent rabbit and a rabbit’s personalities are highly intelligent, social, and affectionate. They can also present a little attitude when trying to get their way. Since I’m also a big consumer of salads, this too is a good match! The Jackalope also has horns that are at the ready in moments when self-defense is necessary.

If you were famous what would you be famous for?

If I were famous, I would be a motivational speaker and self-help guru, helping people achieve their highest potential.