We promote efforts that support our local agricultural economy, equitable food distribution networks and education about local food and food system change. The Council is working to ensure that Frederick County’s vibrant agricultural community is a regional model that supports farmers, creates market demand and equitable distribution of fresh, locally grown food that improves the health and resilience of our communities.
How We Do It
Meet Our Team
Lee Babcock
Chair
Lee retired to Frederick County after a long career in international agricultural development. He joined the Food Council in 2019 noting his concern with lack of local food supply chains. Lee serves as the point person for the MD Food Systems Resiliency Council,
Chair term: 2023-2025.
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Vice Chair
position open
The Vice-Chair supports developing strategic direction, proposal and partnership development. Helps lead quarterly Food Council meetings.
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Alison Wexler
Administrative Coordinator
Alison Wexler is the owner of Sand Garden Health & Wellness Coaching here in Frederick and is one of only three National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coaches actively working in the county. She is also a trained CHEF Culinary Coach. Prior to her career in coaching, she worked extensively in non-profit and for-profit business operations. She moved to Frederick with her husband and son in 2021.
Advocacy Lead
position open
The Advocacy Lead for FCFC responds to requests and initiates support for bills and proposals at the state and local levels that further local food supply chain infrastructure and partnership/investment.
Government Liaison
position open
The Food Council's Government Liaison builds relations with leaders and elected officials and develops educational materials and presentations about how to build food security into the fabric of our community.
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Daniel Wang, Editor
Digging In
Daniel is a junior at Urbana HIgh School. He has been the content editor and designer for Digging In since August 2022, and we are delighted that he will continue in that role for the Frederick County Food Council.
Melanie Smith-Bell
Content Manager
Digging In
Although Melanie moved with her family to California, she has offered to return to the Food Council (already with a background in Food Council initiatives and what's happening in MD) to help Daniel with "Digging In", the Food Council newsletter.
Janice Wiles
Co-Founder
Janice co-founded the Food Council in 2018. She is a master gardener and owns a vegetable, herb and small fruit CSA and native plant nursery/ecological landscaping business in the Finger Lakes region, NY. She resides in Frederick County November - March.
Lisa Orr
Co-Founder
Lisa co-founded the Food Council in 2018 after a long career serving Frederick County residents and government. She took leadership of the Frederick Fresh Online pilot project, has been actively engaged in the Compost Work Group and the Climate Emergency Mobilization Working Group.
Joanne Coates-Hunter
Co-Founder
JoAnn co-founded the Frederick County Food Council in 2018, She is Director for Fox Haven Farm and Learning Center where she oversees operations, directs educational programs, teaches, and brings her knowledge and excitement about the wonders of nature to visitors of all ages. She is dedicated to building a local food system for her community.
Sharon Gray
Accountant
Sharon is co-Owner of Gray Enterprises and supports the food council as tax preparer, and accountant, and has supported the Food Council since its inception.
Our Partners
Check out our amazing partners. They join the Food Council with their dedication to building a resilient, locally based, food system that serves all citizens in Frederick County.
Bar T Mountainside
Bar T Mountainside made the Frederick Fresh Online (FFO), a Food Council pilot project, possible. From June 2020 - February 2023 Bar T's barn and facilities offered FFO a place for farmer deliveries, order aggregation, and customer pick-ups. Bar-T Mountainside campus lent us use of their walk-in refrigerators, freezers, and more. We are grateful to Bar-T for their Food Council support.
Farm to School
Frederick
Farm to School Frederick (F2S) started as a project of Community FARE and the Frederick County Food Council, with community and USDA Food and Nutrition support.
In 2022 we launched F2S with pride and intent to become its own organization that will have greater reach and impact to better serve families in Frederick County.
Meetings
Please join the Frederick County Food Council Quarterly Meetings. Each 1.5 hour meeting hosts a special guest speaker, and 1/2 hour for business. If you can't join in, you can read about them below!
The Frederick County Food Council is run by an incredible team of dedicated volunteers. If you would like to get involved, please fill out the form below.