Ayla Fenton
Agriculture Manager
Ayla is a first-generation farmer and community organizer. She graduated from Queen’s in 2011 with a B. Sc (Honours) in Biology, and since 2013 has been working on local organic farms, learning regenerative production methods for vegetables, livestock, cereal grains and dairy. Since 2015, Ayla has been a board member of the National Farmers Union, and has been involved with organizing young farmers and farmworkers nationally and internationally, advocating for the transition to agroecology, food sovereignty and climate justice. Ayla also represents the NFU in the global peasant movement La Via Campesina. She is excited to bring her passion for food and farming to Loving Spoonful and the Kingston community!
TibratĀ Gillies
Community Kitchens Manager
Tibratā is a Red Seal Certified Chef with over 35 years of professional cooking, 15 years as a culinary educator, 15 years of farming and 8 years of special event programming experience. Her outlook on sustainable food systems is rooted in her training and perspectives as a Biogeographer and as an Applied Food Researcher. As a professional chef in Kingston, she has been active in the local food movement for over 20 years. In the fall of 2017, Tibratā made a life-long commitment and is training to become a Sacred Fire Keeper and a Sacred Gardener. Tibratā’s life work revolves around food in one way or another as a means of offering love and opportunities for connection. Tibratā joined Loving Spoonful in May 2019 and enjoys coordinating Community Kitchens.
Marie Bencze
Gardens Manager
Marie manages the Kingston Community Gardens Network, the Community Harvest Gardens, and other garden-based programs. She is an agroecological food enthusiast who started farming in 2009 and has worked at several organic vegetable farms in the Kingston area including Root Radical CSA and Patchwork Gardens. Marie has a Master’s of Environmental Studies where she ran a farm-based education project with children, while researching its ties to food sovereignty. With deep roots in the farming community, three years on the board of the local National Farmers Union, and more than a decade of involvement in social and environmental justice initiatives, Marie is passionate about building community and struggling toward food sovereignty. Outside of work, she is a roller derby coach, voracious reader, and a proud parent.
KATHLEEN MORITZ
Community Training farm Coordinator
Kathleen is a farmer, herbalist, and long-time plant lover originally from the Kingston area. While studying Literature, she took courses in Environmental Studies and discovered a passion for the intersections of ecology, food, and social justice. She started her farming journey in 2016 working on farms across Ontario, including several seasons with Root Radical CSA in Kingston. After studies in herbal medicine, she co-founded Redwing Herb Farm, a local farm on Howe Island growing a variety of medicinal herbs and offering herbal education. She hopes to center her work around community resiliency, and is excited to meet and work with new farmers in her role as Coordinator for the Community Training Farm. In her downtime, she likes to walk the woods, make music, and read with her cat.
Adrienne Chalaturnyk
Gleaning and Local Food Access Coordinator
While working as a freelance artist and animator, Adrienne fell in love with farming and shifted her focus and creative energy to growing vegetables and community. She first connected with Loving Spoonful as a farmer growing extra produce for the Gleaning program in 2020. After a few seasons of co-running Charlie’s Acres, a small vegetable farm north of Napanee, she’s now working as the Gleaning and Local Food Access Coordinator and continuing to connect and build relationships with farmers in the community. In her free time, Adrienne can be found petting dogs, dipping her toes in the water, or singing her heart out at karaoke.
Cherilyn Burnell
Community Kitchens Coordinator
Tara Boland
Community Kitchens Facilitator
Originally from Toronto and Markham area, Tara is a First Nations Métis woman with Irish roots and a passion for food. Food and family have always been a large part of her life. Whether cooking with her mother and grandmother, or spending time with her Nany cooking large meals at home, these food experiences have deeply shaped her.
Tara has been in Kingston since 2006 and has worked in the food industry for 15 years. She has experience with farming, gardening and foraging and using those foods when cooking. A natural in the kitchen, Tara is driven by a commitment and passion for serving community, particularly marginalized populations. She has a long history of volunteering, including with Loving Spoonful.
She is a recent graduate of Mental Health and Addictions with First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) and Canadore College. She is currently completing her diploma in Social Work at FNTI.
Jean Chen
Community Harvest Garden Facilitator
Jean has always had a love for food which led her to complete a Bachelors in Nutritional Sciences. She has worked with a diverse population to teach them about the role of nutrition and health. Jean has always wanted to learn more about agriculture and upon seeing the opportunity to work in a more hands-on job, she joined Loving Spoonful in May 2022 as the Community Harvest Facilitator. On days off, Jean enjoys hiking, acro yoga, cooking and eating good food.
Krysta-Lee Woodcock
Community Harvest Garden Facilitator
Krysta-Lee Woodcock is a civic-minded leader deeply passionate about fostering community engagement and sustainable food systems. With a background in municipal governance, environmental advocacy, and a long interest in local agriculture, Krysta-Lee brings a wealth of experience to her role as Community Harvest Garden Facilitator at Loving Spoonful. Her dedication to community empowerment and environmental stewardship is evident through her advocacy for farmland protection, conservation, and climate action as a municipal council member. Krysta-Lee’s experience as a trainee farmer at Loving Spoonful has further honed her skills in sustainable cultivation practices. She is excited to contribute to Loving Spoonful’s mission of building a resilient and equitable food system. Outside of work, Krysta-Lee enjoys cooking, playing music, going on hikes, learning endlessly, and reading.