Marie plays a critical role in the development and implementation of Veggielution’s farm programs and facilities centered on food sourcing and distribution. She is particularly motivated by the urgency of local food sourcing and seeks to expand market access through Veggielution’s Eastside Connect program, which sources from and connects local markets to small BIPOC, female and next generation farmers within the local foodshed. As part of this work, she and Veggielution’s farm team explore areas where food justice and climate urgency overlap, specifically in regenerative farming, community economic mobility, emergency response and food recovery.
She has focused on San Jose public spaces and small businesses since returning to her home city in 2011. Prior to joining Veggielution, she built streetlife projects for the downtown business improvement district to engage residents in public space during the pandemic. With San Jose consulting company, Movable, she designed public space beautification projects for the San Jose Flea Market and City of Fremont. She founded San Jose Made (SJMADE), an event-based markets platform for creative small businesses.
