Celeste Gingras
Development Manager (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… how to partner with SEL on education programs, ways to donate to SEL, and how to benefit from our programs in the best way possible.
Celeste served on the SEL Board in 2011 before joining Staff in 2016
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 children, 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
Naomi De Palm
Education & Outreach Coordinator (she/her)
A favorite food or farming memory is… cultivating my first garden with my now-husband. We had no idea what we were doing at first and ended up with more cherry tomatoes than we knew what to do with. Since then, we’ve had many gardens, with varying success, but the empowerment of knowing where our food comes from has stuck with us.
A dish I’m famous for is… my Bibimbap!
When I’m not working you can find me… roadtripping to the Catskills, walking on the beach with my husband, or baking something delicious with sourdough!
Before SEL… I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the University of New England, where I also continued my education to receive a Master’s degree in Applied Nutrition & Health Promotion. During this time, I further developed a passion for connecting people to nutritious, local food through education and community engagement.
Contact me if you want to know more about… how to stay informed about our work, media requests, education events, and tabling requests.
Naomi joined SEL in 2022
Skyler Amsden
Market Manager (she/her)
A favorite food or farming memory is… I remember one specific early morning I headed into “sunflower-ville” for the first time by myself to cut sunflowers for the market that day. As I cut flowers and got into a rhythm, all of a sudden my stomach dropped and I stopped and slowly looked around, realizing I was surrounded by hundreds of bees. I had never heard the buzzing and humming of bees so loud before, nor had I ever seen so many bees in my life. Initially I was terrified, but that hum of busy bees became one of my most favorite times of the day that I enjoyed for years to come
A dish I’m famous for is… my homemade chili!
When I’m not working you can find me… Anywhere outside! If I’m not outside, I’m likely trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.
Before SEL… I grew up farming in the Seacoast area, where my passions for creating a just and equitable food system evolved. I most recently headed south to pursue my Bachelors degree in Sustainable Community Development, where I helped manage campus community gardens and much more! After taking some time to travel and work in water conservation out West, I am very excited to be home.
Contact me if you want to know more about… Anything about the farmers’ markets we operate.
Skyler joined SEL in 2023