As the Food Business Development Specialist, Joanna assists food businesses at any stage in planning, logistics, marketing and production. She also coordinates the Food Processing Center’s Pioneer Valley Vegetable Venture. This program purchases fresh, in season, local produce to lightly processes it and sell it to area institutions. This gives farmers a stable, fair and consistent market while getting local food to those who need it most in institutional settings. Outside of this role, Joanna has experience working with large institutions on local food procurement and has provided wholesale and retail market development assistance to small and beginning farmers.

duo Restaurant’s mission is to pair farmers and diners together. We are committed to local and seasonal eating and Stephanie Bonin leads this vision everyday in both Denver, CO & Brattleboro, VT. She strategically develops events and menus to stay relevant in both locations as well as directs the concept, design and production of all PR communication for the restaurants. Stephanie has a background in political organizing and environmental direct lobbying so creating the philanthropic program at duo. She implemented a strong & focused program for each of the restaurants: Denver, CO: Created bi-annual philanthropic dinner series for local non-profits committed to working on environmental, educational or women’s issues. In Brattleboro, VT: Developed philanthropic series, “Brunch for our Soul”. The first Saturday of every month benefits organizations working to promote outdoor education or the local food movement in Windham County.

Thomas Moffitt is an entrepreneur and executive in the food and beverage industry. He is Co-founder & CEO of Commonwealth Dairy which has two production facilities and sales of approximately $150 million per year. Moffitt has proven capability in starting and scaling large, complex businesses. His expertise encompasses a diverse range of skills from raising capital to building consumer brands. His business philosophy includes a commitment to high-quality products, respectful and responsive interactions, and a supportive corporate culture. Moffitt has been quoted and interviewed in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, and Forbes Magazine. He holds a BA from Colby College and a Ms. in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin. He acts as an advisor to a number of businesses and maintains a strong commitment to supporting local agriculture and sustainable food systems. Moffitt lives with his wife and two children in Concord, MA.

R.T. Brown has 20+ years of professional experience in online technologies, education, non-profit management, and small business consulting. He moved to the area recently from Denver and took the opportunity to seek work in the field of his passion – Economic Development. R.T. has a Masters in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi which focused on areas such as land use and planning, commercial real estate financing and development, regional economic development strategies, technology innovation and entrepreneurship as economic development strategies, and business development and marketing for economic development organizations. Creating a business friendly environment, culture of innovation, and set of conditions for businesses to succeed are some of his primary goals.

He is is an advocate for local growers, producers, and small businesses that focus on building Vermont’s agricultural community and creating better jobs through its food system. Sean regularly sits on various state and nonprofit panels to help develop new innovations in small-scale agriculture and business enterprise.

Julie Lineberger, EdM Harvard, is a successful entrepreneur, and President of Wheel Pad L3C. Her past success with LineSync Architecture LTD, a green and sustainable firm in southern Vermont, garnered numerous awards for both Design and Business Management. A previous career in International Development included managing and participating in projects for the United Nations Development Program, the International Rescue Committee, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees throughout the world.

As the past chair of both Green America Board of Directors and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility Board of Directors, Julie has led many workshops and is a consultant on various aspects of business management. She is also involved in various community efforts and in maintaining positive, healthy work environments both at LineSync Architecture LTD and Wheel Pad L3C.

Charlie Merinoff is a principal founder of Breakthru Beverage Group (BBG), the innovative beverage wholesaler formed by Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG) and Wirtz Beverage Group on January 1, 2016.  He currently serves as Co-Chairman of BBG’s Board of Managers. The operations of the company and its affiliates spans 16 markets throughout North America, and the company represents a portfolio of premier wine, spirits and beer brands totaling more than $6 billion in annual sales.

Previously Charlie was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CSG, one of the nation’s leading distributors of fine wines and spirits. Following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin in 1980, Charlie joined the family’s business, holding various positions in operations, purchasing and sales. In 1991, Charlie was named President of Charmer Industries, the family’s Metro New York business. In 1994, the family acquired Sunbelt Beverage Corporation, then operating distributorships in several Eastern states. The Sunbelt Beverage Corporation continued to expand through acquisitions and partnerships, and in 1997 the wholesale companies in which the family had an interest became known as The Charmer Sunbelt Group. In 2011, he was named Chairman of the Board of The Charmer Sunbelt Group.

Charlie devotes a significant amount of time and resources to charitable organizations. He has been a member of the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation since 1999, and is currently its Treasurer and an active member of its Board of Directors. Additionally, Charlie spent twelve years on the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Institute of America and is currently Trustee Emeritus. He presides on the Board of Directors of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Charles has previously been on the Board of Trustees of Northwell Health - formerly North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and Make-A Wish Foundation Metro New York.  Charlie spearheaded the annual “Wine and Wishes” tasting and auction, which raised nearly $8.0 million over 13 years for Make-A-Wish.

Charlie has been honored over the years by the Boys Town of Italy, the Boy Scouts of America, the UJA-Federation of New York, the American Cancer Society and received the George Washington Spirit Award at Mt. Vernon.  He is a Past Chairman of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.

A Supplier Manager is the primary point of contact within UNFI for suppliers doing business with UNFI or its customers. Supplier Managers are responsible for sourcing new suppliers and items for all sales channels and managing those relationships, fostering an environment of professional interaction which provides a path to growth and profit for UNFI, suppliers and our retail partners.
Valarie began her journey in the natural foods industry at Stow Mills in 1994, then moved on to Northeast Cooperatives as their Publications Supervisor and eventually joined the newly formed UNFI in 2003. She has seen – and been a dedicated participant in - the explosive growth in the natural foods industry over the past two decades.
Valarie lives in Brattleboro with her husband and beloved chocolate lab, River.

When she’s not trying to change the way the world does business, she co-chairs the Four Winds Nature Program at Jericho Elementary School and is vice president of Browns River Soccer Club. She’s an avid skier, hiker, cyclist, triathlete, youth soccer coach, and experimental cook. Janice lives in Jericho, VT, with her husband and two daughters.

Entrepreneur and marketing/finance professional with 20 years experience in brand management, strategic planning, and financial analysis
Founder/CEO of TrueBody Products
Founding board member/Executive Director of Local First Vermont
FO/VP Operations of Mamava, Inc.
Management level positions with Procter & Gamble, Welch’s, Nelson Bach USA and Seventh Generation