speaker

Eric Derby is a passionate local food advocate. His work for the last ten years as both Associate Publisher of Edible Jersey and a board member of the Foodshed Alliance has been focused on learning, educating and growing a healthy local food movement. Now taking on the role of Project Manager of the Foodshed Alliance’s Sustainable Agriculture Enterprises (SAgE), he is driven to directly impact the success of farmers practicing regenerative growing methods. Eric is uniquely suited to understand the challenges of farmers from a small business perspective; in 2002 he started and operated a community coffeehouse called the Grist Mill Café, whose mission was to provide organic, locally grown food, organic & free-trade coffee. Although the café was surrounded by farmland, it was still challenging to create a true farm-to-table experience. This struggle was the start for him becoming a catalyst connecting food and community to help grow a healthier and more resilient local food system.