Network Leadership Chairs
Network Coordinator
Stacy Evans, MPH
Stacy Evans is the Arizona Farm to School Network Coordinator at the Mollen Foundation, where she works to help amplify all of the accomplishments in the Arizona Farm to School realm and creates a place for folks across our food systems to connect. She has over twenty years of experience working in food systems from food service management to connecting K-12 public school students and educators with locally sourced produce and culinary education. With a B.S. in Dietetics and M.S. in Public Health from the University of Arizona, Stacy centered her work in food systems and community nutrition. She is passionate about uplifting local food systems, food sovereignty, and providing youth with access to fresh and whole foods.
State Agency Chair
Ashley Grabb, MSW
With over 10 years of experience in food systems, Ashley Grabb has worked across various sectors, from field to plate. She holds a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Illinois and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Eastern Illinois University. Currently, Ashley is the Director of the Agriculture and Food Systems Support Division at the Arizona Department of Agriculture, providing direction and fostering relationships with farmers, producers, agricultural organizations and government agencies. Previously, she was a Senior Food Systems Health Educator at Maricopa County Department of Public Health, leading local food, farm-to-school, and food security initiatives. Ashley also managed a National Institutes of Health study at Arizona State University, mentoring over 150 students and analyzing fruit and vegetable consumption in Arizona schools. Ashley has worked across university settings, grocery retail, and community organizations, leading food system coalition-building efforts and managing a Beginning Farmer program. Growing up on a farm in Illinois fueled her passion for food, agriculture, and local food systems. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her dogs and selling antiques at local pop-up events!
State Agency Chair
Cara Alexander, RDN
Cara Alexander has been involved with child nutrition programs for 20 years beginning in Arizona at the Paradise Valley Unified School District. She has filled various roles related to food and nutrition programs including administration of meal benefits, food safety, menu planning, and school health and wellness programs. She currently serves as a Deputy Associate Superintendent at the Arizona Department of Education where she is leading teams responsible for the oversight and administration of the federal child nutrition and summer nutrition programs, including the Farm to School Program in Arizona. Cara holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition, Fitness, and Health from Purdue University and earned her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential, which she currently maintains, along with the School Nutrition Specialist certification.
Communications Chair
Angelica Rosario
Angelica is currently interning with the Network, where she combines her knowledge of sustainable food systems and nutrition-focused public health to support the promotion of Farm to School programming. She has had the privilege of working as a master gardener, teaching programs that promote food literacy and sustainable urban agriculture in many communities. Angelica is passionate about creating systems that make nutritious food accessible to all and that positively impact health outcomes. During her free time, she loves to travel and most recently spent time studying the Mediterranean diet in Italy; this year she'll be visiting 7 countries!
Farm to Early Childhood Education (ECE) Chair
Tricia Kinnel
Tricia Kinnell has been active in the field of public health for 22 years with Yuma County Public Health Services District. As a Health Educator, Master Gardener and long-time resident of Yuma, she specializes in building communities around food gardens.
Farmer Advocate Chair
Erik Sanford, Pivot Produce
Erik Stanford is a chef and mission-driven food systems advocate dedicated to building resilient, community-based agriculture in the northern Sonoran Desert. He is the founder of Pivot Produce, a values-based produce distribution company that supports small-scale farmers and strengthens regional food economies. Now in its 10th year, Pivot connects over 35 local and regional growers with restaurants, schools, hospitals, CSA programs, food banks, and individual households across central and southern Arizona
Snap-Ed/AZ Health Zone Liaison Chair
Jackie Rybin, RDN, MSAE
Jackie Rybin (she/her) is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a Master's Degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Arizona. With years of experience supporting Farm-to-School initiatives, she is passionate about bridging the gap between local food systems and schools. Jackie thrives on creativity and innovative thinking, especially when tackling local food procurement challenges in Farm-to-School programs to help connect producers with schools more effectively.
State Representative Chair
Paige Bethke, RDN
Paige Bethke holds degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication and Nutrition Sciences and was drawn to the field of nutrition as a student covering the health trends in our country. She has been dedicated to improving chronic disease outcomes since and believes that a preventative focus on our youngest eaters is key. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), she has held roles in various settings where child nutrition has been a primary focus, including K-12 schools, early care and education institutions, and healthcare systems. Her team at the Arizona Department of Education is focused on expanding access to and upholding the nutrition integrity of federal child nutrition programs, including the Farm to School Program in Arizona.
Local Food in Schools Co-Chair
Rachel Acosta-Gomez
With 12 years as a school nutrition professional and Wellness/Farm to School Coordinator, Rachel drives meaningful collaboration to build vibrant, sustainable communities. As Farm to Institution Partnerships Manager at Pinnacle Prevention she helps strengthen market channels for local food producers and supports Arizona's food supply chain coordination activities. As co-chair of the Local Food in Schools Community of Practice (LFS CoP), she facilitates vital connections between food producers, school nutrition teams, and key stakeholders to enhance local food procurement across our state.
Local Food in Schools Co-Chair
Dionne Washington, MBA
Dionne Washington is the founder of Project Roots AZ, a nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and increasing access to fresh, healthy food through urban farming, community gardens, and educational programs. With a strong background in food justice and sustainability, Dionne has been a passionate advocate for equitable food systems, working to empower communities through hands-on farming, nutrition education, and farm-to-school initiatives.
Farm to School Collaborative Chair
Jessie Giambra
Jessie Giambra is a visionary educator, advocate, and mama with over a decade of experience working with Arizona. Her work brings wholesome energy and awareness to students in the garden, the classroom, and beyond. Jessie has developed curricular and after-school garden programs that bring to life cultural and community perspectives, emphasizing respect for nature, the interconnectedness of our heritage, and our shared role in shaping the future. She spent six years as a technology teacher in the Creighton School District, where she contributed to expanding the district-wide school garden program.
To further develop the connection between students, food, and connection to nature, she studied Ecological Agriculture at Navdanya in Northern India for the “Return to Earth” course in 2023. She has been part of the Arizona Farm to School Network since 2022 and is jubilant in her current position with the Mollen Foundation as the Farm to School Collaborative Coordinator.
Nutrition Education
VACANT
Interested in becoming a chair? Reach out to us at contact@azfarmtoschool.org.
As Chair, you will:
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Lead strategic conversations and statewide collaborations
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Support the growth of equitable, local food systems
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Represent the Network with partners, agencies, and stakeholders
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Help shape the future of farm to school in Arizona
We’re looking for someone with vision, experience in food systems or education, and a heart for community transformation.
Procurement Chair
VACANT
Interested in becoming a chair? Reach out to us at contact@azfarmtoschool.org.
As Chair, you will:
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Lead strategic conversations and statewide collaborations
-
Support the growth of equitable, local food systems
-
Represent the Network with partners, agencies, and stakeholders
-
Help shape the future of farm to school in Arizona
We’re looking for someone with vision, experience in food systems or education, and a heart for community transformation.
Collaboration Chair
VACANT
Interested in becoming a chair? Reach out to us at contact@azfarmtoschool.org.
As Chair, you will:
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Lead strategic conversations and statewide collaborations
-
Support the growth of equitable, local food systems
-
Represent the Network with partners, agencies, and stakeholders
-
Help shape the future of farm to school in Arizona
We’re looking for someone with vision, experience in food systems or education, and a heart for community transformation.
Data & Evaluation Chair
VACANT
Interested in becoming a chair? Reach out to us at contact@azfarmtoschool.org.
As Chair, you will:
-
Lead strategic conversations and statewide collaborations
-
Support the growth of equitable, local food systems
-
Represent the Network with partners, agencies, and stakeholders
-
Help shape the future of farm to school in Arizona
We’re looking for someone with vision, experience in food systems or education, and a heart for community transformation.