The NOLA Locavores was started after Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill when the hardships of our seafood industry were each day on the front page of the news. After reading “Plenty” by Alisa Smith and seeing the reality show based on the book where a community in Vancouver went 100 days on a 100 mile diet, lead organizers Lee Stafford and Dr. Leslie Brown decided this was a good time to begin an Eat Local Challenge in Louisiana. Chefs from around the world come to prepare dishes with ingredients from this region. The path was laid for this local food foraging contest.
Our Mission
To raise awareness of the nutritional, economic, environmental and cultural benefits of eating locally sourced food.
Throughout the year NolaLocavores works with other similar minded organizations to advocate for both the values of sustainable agriculture practices and bringing fresh produce to underserve neighborhoods in New Orleans, LA.
The primary way the NolaLocavores executes its mission in through their Annual New Orleans Eat Local Challenge, which take pace throughout the month of June.
More about the team
Lee Stafford is a community activist and creator of the Euterpe Recycling Center and is active in the effort to revitalize Central City, New Orleans. Lee graduated from Tulane University with a degree in History and is also the founder of the OCH Art Market.
Moses Swent is a lifelong Louisiana hunter / fisherman. Being raised in Rapides Parish, he has hunted, caught, and trapped much of the wildlife Louisiana has to offer. Moses will be in charge of identifying the seafood and game in the Eat Local Challenge.
Amanda Rod Amanda Rod will be graduating from Tulane University in May, double majoring in Psychology and Global and Community Health. She was recently accepted into a Nutrition Program at the University of Connecticut, where she will pursue a degree in Nutritional Sciences focusing on Dietetics on her way to becoming a Registered Dietitian.
Aryanna Gamble is the Director of Marketing and is in her senior year as an English major at University of New Orleans. In the past she has volunteered to help start community gardens around the city. She is a strong advocate for environmental, as well as, food awareness.
Elizabeth Crull is part of the Marketing Team. She received a BA from Louisiana Tech University in Political Science and is currently in post-baccalaureate studies at University of New Orleans. After teaching elementary students at a non-profit program for New Orleans public schools, she began work to promote the importance of parents providing their children with a healthy, local diet.
Becki Chall is in charge of local food research and is in her senior year majoring in pre-med at Tulane University.
Bill Pastellak
Anne Mueller is a native New Orleanian, Anne Mueller learned about the varied richness of her city through attending elementary school in the French Quarter and in recent years at the Crescent City Farmers market selling her dad’s German bread. She received a BA in history from Bennington College and MA in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi. Through her professional and volunteer projects, Anne is committed to the ongoing revitalization of New Orleans.
Amber Parker
Caroline Heylman
Shena Troia
Suzannah Schneider is a studying Environmental Studies and International Development at Tulane University. She organized the winter Locavore Supper Club events and is passionate about making local food accessible and delicious.
Our Collaborators
For more information email us at nolalocavores@gmail.com.
NolaLocavores
1618 Oretha C. Haley Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70113
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