Staff

Tara Pereira - Executive Director

As Executive Director of Vermont Fresh Network, Tara works to advance relationships among farmers, chefs, and consumers to grow markets and eat more locally grown food. This includes managing the DigInVT.com platform, a website devoted to promoting authentic culinary and agricultural experiences in Vermont and sharing the stories of the farmers, chefs, makers and many others are members of the local food community in Vermont. Tara has worked in marketing and communications for over 25 years. She began her career in the San Francisco Bay Area producing television focused on farm to table restaurants and the local products of Northern California. After moving to Vermont, Tara worked with Vermont nonprofits and small businesses to develop and implement their marketing and communication strategy plans. Most recently in 2022, Tara completed a food studies certificate program at the Anna Tasca Lanza center for Sicilian food culture and knowledge in Sicily, Italy. "Cook the Farm" studies the varying geography, food customs and traditions found around the diverse island of Sicily.

Jessie Hoyng - Membership & Events Manager

Jessie is the Membership & Events Manager at Vermont Fresh Network, where she works directly with farmers, agricultural producers, and chefs to help them get farm-fresh food onto tables across the state. She brings nearly a decade of digital marketing and communication experience to VFN, and has also worked as a farmhand on an organic vegetable farm. She lives in St. Johnsbury and continues to be active in the local agricultural community, including running the Joe's Brook Farm tent at the Lyndon Farmers Market.