Our Team

Prior to launching LFP, Lori was a well-known CBC journalist and broadcaster, a food policy consultant, and the co-author of the Canadian bestseller Real Food For A Change. Lori has been a member of the Ontario Minister of Agriculture’s Strategic Advisory Committee and the Toronto Food Policy Council, as well as an advisor to the Toronto City Summit Alliance and the Laidlaw Foundation. For the last four years, she has taught a course in food system issues at the University of Toronto. In 2007, Toronto Life Magazine highlighted Lori and LFP’s work in its special May issue on green leaders. In 2008, Lori received a Woman of the Earth Award from the Yves Rocher Foundation. Lori holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from York University.

Chris Alward, Director of Operations
Chris helps commercial buyers and Certified Local Sustainable farmers connect in whatever manner suits them both – direct sale, through distribution, via the Ontario Food Terminal, or by other not-so-standard means. He also leads LFP’s marketing and public awareness efforts, making Certified Local Sustainable food easy to find in grocery stores, restaurants, institutions, and just about anywhere that you shop or eat. Prior to joining LFP, Chris owned a boutique catering company, spent 5 years in Toronto restaurants, and logged nearly a decade helping companies do business and market themselves online. When he’s not connecting farmers and buyers, you will likely find Chris in the kitchen.

 

Amber brings a strong background in horticulture and environmental policy to the position. Her diverse work experiences include managing garden centres, consulting with conservation authorities, and working as a vendor at farm markets. Amber holds a Diploma in Horticultural from Niagara College and has also studied environment and biology at Brock University.

 

Garry is a professional agrologist and highly-regarded organic inspector with more than 20 years experience. He is certified as an auditor in on-farm food safety, HAACP, pesticide sampling, and animal welfare/livestock management. He is also a board member of the Independent Organic Inspectors Association and has helped develop training programs for organic inspectors. Garry recently retired from Fleming College in Lindsay, ON, where he taught in the Agro-ecology and Ecosystem Management Program. He is also a farmer with practical experience in livestock (dairy and beef) and crop production, including organic vegetable production. As a partner in Ecosystems, Etc. located in Cameron, ON, Garry provides education and consulting services to the organic production and processing sector. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Soil Science and a Master’s Degree in Adult Education.

 

Moe Luksenberg, YMCA Youth Eco Intern, Certification Assistant

Moe studied four years of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Toronto before starting as an intern at LFP.  He has previously been involved with FoodShare and The Stop Community Food Centre, and brings a passion for sustainable and socially just food systems.

 

Rod MacRae, Senior Policy Analyst for Standards Development
Rod is an internationally recognized food policy analyst with 25 years experience examining how to make the transition to sustainable and health promoting food and agriculture systems, including local food systems. Rod works for NGOs attempting to influence government policy, advises governments and businesses on programme and policy design, and is a professor in York University's Faculty of Environmental Studies. Rod has written extensively in the popular and academic press and speaks regularly to audiences around North America. He was the founding Project Coordinator of the Toronto Food Policy Council, which he led for 10 years. Rod holds a PhD from McGill University.

 

Don Mills, Director of Standards and Certification
Don grew up on a dairy farm in Southwestern Ontario and continues to farm with his family. His agriculture experience includes raising beef and pork, dairy farming, and specialty harvesting. Don serves on the Provincial Council and National Executive Council of the National Farmers Union and was a member of the Ontario Minister of Agriculture's Strategic Advisory Committee. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Anthropology from the University of Victoria.

 

Sherry Nielsen, Certification Manager
Sherry brings a strong background in the administration of certification systems from the organic sector, as well as experience in the conventional farm sector. She support farmers and processors through the LFP certification process, and administer all aspects of inspection, certification and recertification.

 

Jessica Thornton, YMCA Youth Eco Intern, Executive Assistant
Jessica has had a connection with Local Food Plus from the beginning, being one of the students who worked on a research project that helped begin LFP’s relationship with the University of Toronto in 2005. Since then, she has completed a certificate in food security at Ryerson University, spent time working on an LFP certified farm, and is a member of the recently formed Toronto Youth Food Policy Council. Jessica brings with her a solid comprehension of Ontario food systems, and a passion to promote that which is local and sustainable.

 

Judy Yee, Office Manager
Judy is experienced in financial administration, preparation of funding proposals, and client relations. Following studies at Dawson College and Concordia University in Montreal, Judy moved to Toronto, where she has excelled in customer-based service and administrative roles.

 

 

Yusuf Alam, Consultant, Health Promotion, Toronto Public Health

Dr. David Clandfield, Principal, New College (retired), University of Toronto
Brian Dawe (Treasurer/Secretary), Chartered Accountant

Kim De Lallo(Chair), Member Relations & Education Coordinator, Ontario Natural Food Co-op

Janice Etter, Vice Chair, GTA Agricultural Action Committee, Citizen Chair, Toronto Food Policy Council
Karen Hutchinson (Vice-chair), Executive Director, Caledon Countryside Alliance
Elbert van Donkersgoed, Consultant