Cheryl Whilby, Co-Executive Director of Communications & Development, (she/her) first discovered her passion for food systems during her senior year of undergrad. Through her studies, she deepened her knowledge in various food insecurity issues and became most interested in how these matters disproportionately impact BIPOC communities. Since moving to Albany, NY in 2016, Cheryl has spent her time finding ways to be more involved in her local food system and address food insecurity in the community. From 2016-2019, she coordinated the recovery of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, wholesalers, and other community partners for redistribution to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters as Capital Roots’ Squash Hunger Coordinator (Troy, NY). From 2018-2022, she served as Market Manager of Schenectady Greenmarket, leading initiatives centered on making the market more accessible and welcoming for Black and Brown communities. In 2023, she transitioned into an Executive Director role with the market to focus on building the market’s fundraising strategies to sustain the growing market’s food access programming and initiatives. She is also one of the 12 Black food system leaders who developed the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit in collaboration with the Farmers Market Coalition.