Steering Committee

The Alliance is lead by a Steering Committee of 10 market operators and farmers from across the state of California. Members participate in a bi-monthly 1.5 hr meeting, and contribute 5-10 hours per month on work related to the Alliance, depending on current activities. Steering Committee members support new membership recruitment, help develop and deliver professional development training, and develop policy positions for the Alliance.
Interested in becoming a Steering Committee member? Email isaac@ecologycenter.org
Tasha Ardalan
So Cal Farmers’ Markets
Tasha Ardalan is a rural San Diegan who grew up immersed in agriculture and the equestrian industry. She has over a decade of experience as a farmers’ market vendor, manager, and operator. Tasha loves farmers’ markets and supporting local food systems. She is dedicated to building resilient agricultural structures, increasing access to locally grown produce, and improving food justice and equity through education and incentive programs such as Market Match. Tasha is an expert at leading projects, developing actionable solutions, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders (farmers, nonprofits, and government agencies). Tasha Ardalan’s love for her college graduation gift, a corgi puppy with terrible allergies, led her to develop holistic pet products. She quickly went from selling her products at farmers’ markets to becoming a market leader known for her compassion and care in helping vendors succeed. In 2012, Tasha began a career managing and operating farmers’ markets as well as coordinating fundraising events across Southern California. Additionally, Tasha served on the 2023 California Small Farms Conference Steering, Workshop, and Awards Committees and was elected to the Farmers Market Coalition Board of Directors this year.
Allen Moy
Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA)
Allen is the Executive Director of PCFMA, a nonprofit organization which serves over 200 California farmers by operating and promoting over 3060 certified farmers’ markets in the San Francisco Bay Area. Allen is a Board member of Fresh Approach, a nonprofit organization founded by PCFMA in 2008 that connects California communities with healthy food from California farmers through innovative health, nutrition and food access programs such as VeggieRx, Market Match and the Freshest Cargo Mobile Farmers’ Market. He is also a Board member of the Farmers Market Coalition, the national learning and advocacy group for farmers market operators and managers. Allen is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He holds a Master’s in Urban Administration and a Bachelor’s in Communications and Political Science, both from Trinity University in San Antonio. Allen also has a Certificate in Human Resource Manager from California State University, Hayward (now Cal State East Bay).
Portia Bramble
North Coast Growers’ Association
Portia Bramble has been the Executive Director for the North Coast Growers’ Association since 2008. Portia is a founding member of the Alliance,  helped establish the CA Market Match Consortium, and is an appointed member of CDFA’s Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee. Portia earned a Masters Degree in Social Sciences from Humboldt State University in 2009 with a project exploring the implications of California’s Direct Marketing agricultural regulations on farmers’ market management and operations. Portia grew up in Berkeley, CA, and received her Bachelors Degree in Political Studies and Environmental Policy from Pitzer College in 2006.
Brijet Myers
San Diego Farmers’ Markets

Brijet Myers has learned a lot in her 14 years as a Farmers Market Operations Manager, handling the nuts and bolts behind-the-scenes work and being the public-facing feet on the ground at her twice-weekly, year-round, Little Italy Mercato certified farmers markets in San Diego.She brings extensive experience with special event planning and fostering the growth and success of small businesses, and finds joy in mentoring others to cultivate a community that knows and respects the value of farmers markets. She constantly shares her knowledge through teaching Vendor-101, co-hosting the farmers market industry podcast Tent Talk, and facilitating the education component for the annual InTents: The Farmers Market Conference. Brijet is passionate about giving local farms and other small businesses a place to thrive and grow every week at her markets and enjoys all the delicious perks of the job!

Sam Greenlee
Alchemist CDC

Sam is the Executive Director of Alchemist CDC with experience in the professional food safety industry and several years in community organizing as a co-founder of the Oak Park Fix-it Cafe. Sam is passionate about building strong equitable communities where the most vulnerable neighbors can flourish. He is a resident of the Oak Park neighborhood and can be found spending his free time gardening, taking evening walks with his spouse, and enjoying time with his children. We are thrilled to welcome Sam as part of the Alliance Steering Committee, and are looking forward to seeing his expertise and passion for food access and justice help secure the future of farmers’ markets throughout California.

Andy Naja-Riese
Agricultural Institute of Marin
Andy Naja-Riese brings 17 years’ experience in community food systems, public health, and food equity programs & policy. As Chief Executive Officer, he leads AIM’s major programs, partnerships, strategic planning, advocacy, and fundraising, including a capital campaign for AIM’s Center for Food and Agriculture in collaboration with AIM’s Board of Directors. Andy joined AIM in 2018 after spending 10 years working for the Federal government, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. Andy is currently the Co-Chair of the Marin County Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Collaborative, serves on the Steering Committees of the Marin Carbon Project and Marin Community Health Improvement Plan, sits on the National Farm to School Network’s Advisory Board, and represents AIM on the California Food and Farming Network & Food and Farm Resilience Coalition. He received the 2022 CVNL Heart of Marin award for Excellence in Leadership and the 2023 Farmers Market Champion of the Year award from CAFF. He earned his master’s degree from the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health and his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Erin Tormey
Coastside Farmers’ Markets/Irish Ridge Ranch
Erin established and farms Irish Ridge Ranch, an integrated layer flock and rare apple orchard located south of Half Moon Bay, in 1997. Erin is also the founder of Coastside Farmers’ Markets, bringing the first Certified Farmers’ Market to Half Moon Bay in 2002,  to Pacifica in 2007, and Pescadero in 2010.  Erin is an inaugural member of the California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets, the San Mateo Food Systems Alliance, a founding director of The HEAL Project, and  served on the Technical Review Committee of the CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant program from 2008 through 2016. Erin was named Farmer of the Year in 2017, an honor entered in to the Congressional Record by Congresswoman Jackie Speier.
April Treona Lancaster
Visalia Certified Farmers’ Market
April is a central valley native who grew up in the small agriculture rich town of Dinuba, California.  April is the founding Director of the DownTown Visalia Certified Farmers Market, a small Farmers Market primarily consisting of historically underrepresented populations. April is a mother, an Herbalist, and a business owner in the historic DownTown District of Visalia, California.  April credits her success in part to her relationship with the Visalia Farmers Market Organization which spans more than 8 years, and includes service to the organization as the member elected Executive Secretary. April believes that Farmers Markets are integral components of a healthy community, and she is passionate about advancing the Farmers Market industry while cultivating new generations of producers.
Cara Mae Wooledge
Napa Farmers’ Markets

As Executive Director of the Napa Farmers Market, Cara Mae Wooledge leads the organization in strategic partnerships, fundraising, marketing, and community engagement. She brings with her inexhaustible energy, and over 18 years of experience working to improve public health and increase wellness in Napa County. Cara Mae believes the Napa Farmers Market is a unique asset that encourages us to grow community around local food. She works to ensure the market is a welcoming, accessible, inclusive, and safe environment for all. Cara Mae was born and raised In Stockton, California. She has her BA in Political Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Master in Public Health from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

Jennifer Grissom
Food Access Los Angeles

Jennifer Grissom is the Executive Director of Food Access LA, where she leads initiatives focused on providing equitable access to fresh, healthy food across Los Angeles. With a strong commitment to food justice, she is a part of the Leadership Circle for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. Grissom is also a Certified Nonprofit Professional and holds a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition, reflecting her passion for sustainable, health-conscious food systems. Her leadership extends beyond California, having previously served as the Executive Director of Fort Worth Bike Sharing and advocating for safe, equitable public transportation and served on the boards of Near Southside, Inc. and Samaritan House in Fort Worth, Texas, where she worked to support community development and combat homelessness.

A dedicated gardener and advocate for local agriculture, Grissom believes in the transformative power of food to strengthen communities and improve health outcomes. Her personal and professional lives intersect around a deep commitment to sustainability and the belief that community gardening and urban agriculture can create more resilient neighborhoods. Grissom lives in Los Angeles with her husband and frequently visits her daughter in Austin, Texas, where she remains connected to the broader network of food justice work.