Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets

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Contributors

The faces behind the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets

Catherine Barr, Executive Director
Catherine has devoted herself to the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets since 1993. From humble beginnings, the family of four farmers markets has grown under her dedicated stewardship into thriving, award winning markets. Catherine was selected by peers to serve on the board of the California Federation of Certified Farmers Markets. As a board member, Catherine works with other market managers, growers and government officials to help guide the organization to achieve its mission. In 2010, Catherine was awarded recognized for her outstanding service to the agricultural community and awarded the prestigious "Al Smith Friend to Agriculture" by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau.

Annaliese Keller, Director of Marketing
Annaliese is a marketing communications professional and contributes her creative and organizational talents to promoting the farmers markets in resourceful, cost-effective ways. She is editor for the market's monthly newsletter and blog, Edible Paradise, manages the social media, and serves as the project manager, content coordinator and visionary for the website team. Her passion for the culinary world and locally produced food along with her marketing expertise continue to benefit the MBCFM by attracting new shoppers through developing programs and new website features that keep people interested and engaged. Additionally, she owns Malabar Trading Company, a tea company renowned for award winning chai blends and premium tea and is trained pastry chef and expert baker.

Daniel Saenz, Creative Director
Daniel designed and developed this beautiful and functional website. He is also responsible for the design and production of the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets branding and touchpoints. His display ads regularly appear in Carmel Magazine, Santa Cruz Magazine, and the Good Times. He also serves as the markets photographer and videographer. In addition to Daniel’s role as Creative Director, he is founder and president of a full-service design and creative company that is dedicated to excellence in design, marketing, and effective information presentation. To learn more about design and marketing services of this company, please go to: http://www.artdoor.com. In his spare time you can find him painting, playing music, and working on videos and local television productions.

Andrew Cohen, Chef in Residence
Chef Andrew has served as the Chef in Residence to MBCFM since 2006 and has been one of the most popular guest chefs for our cooking demonstrations and knife technique classes. As an ardent supporter and a well-recognized weekly shopper at our farmers markets for over 20 years, customers often stop and ask him to explain “under-appreciated” produce or how to prepare unusual vegetables. Andrew shares his reviews, cooking basics and recipes on the Edible Paradise blog, our companion web site devoted to seasonal cooking.

In addition to his role as Chef in Residence, Andrew is a menu consultant, cooking instructor and kitchen designer as well as an active parent teacher at his children’s elementary school. Two years ago Andrew developed a signature line of spice and herb blends and is currently working on a cookbook in his “spare” time.

Cynthia Jordan, Coordinator for “Can You Dig It” Master Gardener Program
Cynthia Jordan began her gardening hobby in the early 70s with houseplants hung all through her first apartment with macramé plant holders. Her move to the gardening paradise called Santa Cruz in the early 80s expanded her repertoire of plant material – which blossomed into an addiction for roses.

In 1994, she worked closely with UC Cooperative Extension to form a certified Master Gardener program for Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Upon completing her training in 1995, she became a certified Master Gardener. The UCCE Master Gardener program is unique in that it requires its graduates to do volunteer work in order to remain certified. This dovetailed perfectly with Cynthia’s passion for community organizing and volunteer work with various children’s groups. As Board President for the UCCE Master Gardener program, she worked with other Master Gardener volunteers on numerous school gardens around the Bay.

After a 30-year career focused on computer startups in the Silicon Valley, Cynthia now works in the nonprofit environmental world. The ecological impact of the home gardener cannot be overstated. As a Master Gardener, Cynthia learned through continuing education classes the importance of gardening practices that save water and eliminate the use of hazardous materials. Three years ago she made the ultimate sacrifice to the Goddess of a Healthy Planet by replacing her 300+ rose bushes with succulents and drought tolerant plants.

For the last 4 years, Cynthia has organized a series of gardening classes known as “Can You Dig It” at the Saturday Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College. Working with other Master Gardener volunteers, she shares with the community the educational gift given to her through the UCCE Master Gardener Program.