Food Connects is pleased to announce that, effective March 24, 2025, Deputy Director Lee Halpern has stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director. This transition follows the decision of Founder and Executive Director Richard Berkfield to step down, a move he announced earlier this year. Berkfield will continue to support Lee and the organization in his new role as Founding Director through May 1, 2025.

Food Connects’ new Interim Executive Director, Lee Halpern

“This transition is an exciting opportunity for Food Connects to reflect on how we can best support our mission and team,” said Stephanie Bonin, President of the Board of Directors. “Lee’s leadership will provide stability during this period of thoughtful evaluation and planning for the future.”

Berkfield, who founded Food Connects over a decade ago, expressed his confidence in the transition. “It has been an incredible journey leading Food Connects, and I am proud of all we have accomplished together. Lee brings a deep understanding of our mission and operations, making them well-suited to guide the organization through this next phase.”

The Board of Directors welcomes community involvement in this process and remains committed to making decisions that align with the needs of the team, partners, and stakeholders.

Food Connects is an entrepreneurial nonprofit dedicated to strengthening local food systems by delivering locally produced food, providing educational services, and offering consulting to support food systems initiatives throughout New England. Through its Food Hub, the organization aggregates and distributes products from over 150 regional farms and food producers to more than 300 buyers across southeast Vermont, southwest New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts. Its Farm to School programming supports over 30 schools, fostering increased local food purchasing, meal participation, and food, farm, and nutrition education.