Foodlink Staff

Anna Contini, Manager 

Anna joined the Foodlink team in 2007 as Project Coordinator and became Manager in 2011.  She is responsible for day-to-day operations and overseeing the organization's projects and services.  This includes planning and organizing Foodlink’s annual Taste Local! Taste Fresh! event, co-ordinating the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map as well as a variety of communications, marketing and public relations activities.  She is a communications graduate and brings a diverse array of work experience in writing, project management and event planning.  Anna lives in Fergus with her family where she enjoys running, cycling, healthy local eating and the great outdoors.

Foodlink Board of Directors

Chair: Karl Allen-Muncey, Waterloo Ontario (2011-present)

Originally from the UK, Karl is the Creative Director at CuteGecko Inc. a locally based Creative Design & Branding Agency which he runs with his partner Amy Vandenberg. It is their job to strengthen brand positioning through developing anddelivering stategic plans, engaging designs and innovative marketing communications.  Karl is heavily involved in local initiatives in both the business and community sectors and derives a great amount of enjoyment from working and connecting with people.

Dennis Baer, Baden Ontario (2003-present)

Dennis is an organic farmer who provides quality food at affordable prices and is committed to bringing healthy fresh food to local consumers. He currently markets cash crops to wholesalers, and raises organic, grass fed, mineralized beef. He is passionate about providing food that is full of nutrition to families in the Region.

Steve J. Martin, St. Jacobs Ontario (2006-present)

Steve is involved in the operations of  his family's business, Martin's Family Fruit Farm-one of Canada's largest growers of apples--and is in charge of retail sales.  Steve has sold his family's apples at their stall in the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market for more than 20 years.  A former educator, Steve has a special interest in raising public awareness as to the availability of quality local produce in the region. Steve serves on Foodlink's Communications and Outreach Committee.

Cindy Gerber, Ayr Ontario (2010-present)

Cindy Gerber is a Black Angus beef farmer from Ayr Ontario and has been involved with the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! program since 2004.  Together with her husband Mark, Cindy also owns and operates Oakridge Acres Country Meat Store on their farm.  The store has become a retail hub for local farm products and nearly 50 farms have their products featured.  In 2009, the Gerbers received a Premiere's Award for Agricultural Innovation Excellence for their unique approach to farm marketing.

Thomas Hagey, Kitchener Ontario (2008-present)

Thomas is cofounder of Now! Media, a Canadian media company specializing in marketing and interactive community portals.  Thomas serves on Foodlink's Communication and Outreach Committee.

PJ Lowe, Kitchener Ontario (2012-present)

Pj Lowe is the Owner of Nom Nom Treats.  Nom Nom Treats makes homemade cookies and chocolates with customs logos on them.  From large corporate companies to small local startup, magical wedding and special moments - Nom Nom Treats adds that personal touch.  Pj is passionate about everything local in KW (especially food!) and is involved in many local organizations.

Sean Zister, Waterloo Ontario (2012-present)

Sean has travelled the world and worked in the Middle East, Asia and have visited countless other countries. The Seven Shores Trading Company opened its doors in 2004 in Kitchener and moved to uptown Waterloo in 2008, operating as an urban café, local food retailer, and merchandiser of arts and crafts from global artisans. Seven Shores is a social venture where success isn’t measured by profit alone. Seven Shores acts as a portal for fairly traded items, supporting poor populations from around the world From its inception, Seven Shores Trading Company has sought to reduce and eliminate poverty.

Ingrid Schiller, Waterloo Ontario (2012-present)

Ingrid is the Director of Charities with Formulating Change Inc. where she assists charitable organizations with their fundraising efforts.  Ingrid has extensive volunteer and fundraising experience at organizations throughout the Region.  Since 2009 she has been actively involved with Foodlink's Taste Local event where she has worked on promotion, corporate sponsorship and volunteer management.

Dale Stevanus, Bloomingdale Ontario (2012-present)

Dale and his wife Linda own and operate Stevanus Family Farm and CSA in Bloomingdale. Dale began growing produce more than 30 years ago as a part-time venture while working full time at the University of Guelph's Purchasing Services Dept. serving in an array of supply chain, software project and management roles.  The Stevanus' originally sold their produce at the Waterloo and Kitchener Farmers Market but switched their focus to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program in 2006. Today, their CSA continues to thrive and they also enjoy selling their produce to fine food establishments in Waterloo Region.  Most recently Dale added beekeeping to the many activities on the farm.