Jennifer Brodsky
Posted On: April 18, 2017
Poster Contest Judge: Jennifer Brodsky
Jennifer’s passion for local food and farms began in 1998 with work on a small farm on the craggy coast of Inismore, Ireland. There, farmers grew astonishingly beautiful vegetables, celebrated by the community, in soil made by the hands of settlers, from sand and seaweed dragged from the ocean’s edge. She was hooked. Jennifer brought her new-found passion for hand-grown food back to the Philadelphia area and became The Fair Food Farmstand’s first volunteer.
Jennifer’s expertise in sustainable food developed during 15+ years of hands-on experience on farms and in dynamic retail operations. Her farming career began at the 138 acre Willow Creek Orchards, Montgomery County’s first certified organic farm, as the General Manager of the on-farm market, pick-your-own operation and community engagement.
She then moved on to lead the launch of Terrain at Styers as General Manager. She oversaw the 10-acre plant nursery, home store and award-winning farm-to-table restaurant. She also created innovative public programs and spearheaded the development of their workshops and special events, wedding/catering program and farmers’ market.
In 2010, she stepped into the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer for Greener Partners, and lead the non-profit farm-based organization in a time of tremendous growth. Under her leadership, Greener Partners was awarded the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for the successful revitalization of 130-acre Longview Center for Agriculture as a thriving farm, local food market and hub.
At Kitchen Table Consultants, Jennifer guides our marketing, branding and businesses development strategies. Her client work focuses on on-farm market development, branding, marketing and sales, operations and interim leadership. She also acts as team leader for KTC’s Special Projects, such as the nationally recognized Philly Farm & Food Fest.
Jennifer and her husband Eric love living in the woods along the banks of the Delaware River in Upper Bucks County, PA, and get to Vermont as often as they can. They can often be found on the water, canoeing down river, or fly fishing the trout streams of the Northeast. Every year she picks more berries and tree fruit than anyone could ever make good use of (that’s where the big freezer comes in), and her favorite crop to grow is garlic.
What do you love about farmers markets?
“Farmers Markets are at the intersection of the three things I am most passionate about: local food, entrepreneurship and community. The simplicity of the model (although those of us that have done markets know not to mistake simplicity for easy), the direct connection with eaters and farmers, the air of quiet excitement in “what’s new” this week, the sense of place and community are deeply inspiring to me.”
