Shawn Menard
Executive Director (he/him)
A favorite food or farming memory is… learning about traditional recipes and native crops while volunteering on St. John, USVI in 2009. Local people in the Caribbean are so passionate about their food and land. I think that experience is what first sparked my interest in local food.
A dish I’m famous for is… shrimp and grits with collard greens and fried okra.
When I’m not working you can find me… playing with my son, nephews, and nieces to stay young at heart. I also enjoy tending to the flowers, herbs, and fruit trees in my yard.
Before SEL… I spent 7 years working in Management of Food Co-ops in Maine and NH. I graduated from UMaine Farmington with a degree in Psychology and Environmental Studies then went on to earn a Masters in Management with a Sustainability concentration from New England College.
Contact me if you want to know more about… our mission, impact, and strategic plan. I also oversee our fundraising and sponsorship efforts. As a member of the Network Leadership Team for the NH Food Alliance, I enjoy making connections throughout the NH and ME food systems.
Shawn joined SEL in 2019
Celeste Gingras
Education Coordinator (she/her)
A favorite food or farming memory is… I was about 9 years old and it was the first time I remember going to a farm for PYO strawberries with my family. I put as many in my mouth as I did in the bucket. I was in heaven!
A dish I’m famous for is… I can hardly wait each year for all the salsa ingredients to be in season, so I can make it and enjoy it. I might be persuaded to make you some!
When I’m not working you can find me… hanging on our front porch, working in our gardens, reading or sketching by the ocean but mostly laughing with my wife.
Before SEL… I have had many jobs. I have worked as a bartender, prep cook, baker, cashier, ice cream shoppe manager, camp counselor, art instructor, lifeguard, bus driver, social worker, nurses’ aide, but most recently a bakery and cafe owner.
Contact me if you want to know more about… nutrition equity, education about the mobile market, collaboration with SEL, where to buy local food, what to make with local ingredients and how to stretch your food dollars.
Celeste served on the SEL Board in 2011 before joining Staff in 2016
Morgan Morani
Food Access Coordinator (she/her)
A favorite food or farming memory is… conducting food demonstrations at local farmers’ markets and SAMM van stops. My favorite demonstration and recipe was peach salsa with homemade tortilla chips.
A dish I’m famous for is… chicken thighs in the dutch oven with a bunch of local veggies.
When I’m not working you can find me… spending time with family and reading a good book.
Before SEL… I was a retail store manager and attended UNH and graduated with a Bachelors in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Contact me if you want to know more about… SNAP/EBT, Granite State Market Match, and Seacoast area farmers’ markets.
Morgan joined SEL in 2017
Naomi De Palm
SNAP Ambassador (she/her)
A favorite food or farming memory is… creating a victory garden for my parents during the pandemic. I looked forward to tending to the crops everyday and when we harvested our first cucumber the whole family was buzzing with excitement! During such an uncertain time, this garden brought me healing.
A dish I’m famous for is… my miso ramen!
When I’m not working you can find me… kayaking on the Piscataqua, taking an afternoon stroll on the beach, or experimenting in the kitchen.
Before SEL… I got my Bachelors degree in Nutrition from the University of New England where I am also currently pursuing my Masters.
Contact me if you want to know more about… our Farmers’ Markets and the SNAP/EBT incentives we offer!
Naomi joined SEL in 2022
Liz Joseph
Communication Coordinator (she/her)
A favorite food or farming memory is… the time I made a wedding dress out of floating row cover (complete with a 180ft train!) and I married the garden that I tended for nine seasons. That field taught me the depth of relationship you can have with a piece of land, and I will always love it.
A dish I’m famous for is… roast chicken with as many sides as I can muster… peas and corn, buttery carrots, coleslaw, mashed potatoes. I am big into sides.
When I’m not working you can find me… gardening, writing personal essays and children’s books, walking in the woods, thrifting and crafting, visiting family, and general all-purpose puttering.
Before SEL… I managed a one-acre fruit, veggie, and flower market garden on an educational farm in Rutland, MA. I have also worked in farm education, communications, and public events, and I am currently completing an MFA in creative nonfiction writing at UNH.
Contact me if you want to know more about… how to stay informed about our work, media requests, our photo and video library, or anything you see on SEL’s blog or social media channels.
Liz joined SEL in 2022
Ian Lupica
Market Manager (he/him)
A favorite food or farming memory is… planting native shrub species in Nevada. Some days were so cold we had to hug the saplings until they were thawed enough to plant, other days we would lose paperwork and sometimes jackets to the huge dust devils that would sweep over our work sites. The conditions were so crazy that I can’t help but laugh looking back at it.
A dish I’m famous for is… pasta with cauliflower. Simple, garlicky and delicious. My dad says he can make it better, but that’s never been proven.
When I’m not working you can find me… setting up the garden at my new house, cleaning the walls in my aquariums or at any local restaurant with outdoor seating and live music.
Before SEL… I was born in Cleveland, moved to Nevada on a whim and then decided to try out New Hampshire. I worked on Heron Pond Farm for two years in almost every role, from harvest crew, pack out, and CSA and Market coordinating.
Contact me if you want to know more about… farmers’ markets general info, vendor inquiries, recipe ideas or how to keep shrimp in a freshwater aquarium.
Ian joined SEL in 2022