FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Napa, CA (January 4, 2019) – The non-profit Napa Farmers Market has appointed three professionals to its volunteer board of directors. The 10-member board, which includes market vendors and community members from an array of backgrounds, confirmed the appointments of chef Sandy Sauter in November and marketing expert Marilyn O’Connell and farmer Carine Hines in December. The three new appointees replace seats previously filled by Greg Cole, Annie Baker and Thea Rittenhouse.
“We are thrilled to have such a talented group joining our board,” says David Layland, president of the Napa Farmers Market Board. “Each new board member fills an important skill set that will enable us to continue building on the market’s growth and success.”
Sandy Sauter
Sandy Sauter is the Executive Chef of Public Programs, California, at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and co-owner and managing partner at Spork Kitchens, a commercial rental kitchen in Napa. Sauter has been pursuing her culinary career in Napa Valley for more than 13 years with experience at several local institutions including Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, Dean & Deluca in St. Helena, and Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts. With a natural ability for teaching the culinary arts to food enthusiasts, she has developed and taught most of the food and wine classes for the public programs offered by CIA. Sauter’s appointment to the Farmers Market board is a natural extension of all her experience and passions and she is looking forward to contributing to the market’s culinary programs.
Marilyn O’Connell
Marilyn O’Connell brings more than 25 years of marketing experience in the telecommunications industry and a passion for food, wine and community to the farmers market board. After moving to Napa nine years ago, she partnered with Catherine Bergen, founder of the restaurant C CASA in Oxbow market, to assist in growing the business. Later she joined another CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates of Napa County – as a volunteer advocate for children. O’Connell has previously served on the boards of Montclair University in New Jersey, Skyline Park, and Leadership Napa Valley. She looks forward to contributing her marketing expertise and writing skills as part of the market’s grants and fundraising committee.
Carine Hines
Carine Hines is co-owner of Sun Tracker Farm, with her husband Robert and son Albie. Together they farm their 28-acre property in the beautiful Capay Valley, using organic and sustainable practices that promote diversity of the land’s soil, plants, and fauna. Hines is also a scientist, who received a PhD in Plant Molecular Biology in 2017, and an educator for college-level and elementary school students. She is half French, and loves to speak with the many Francophile customers that come through the Napa Farmer’s Market. Hines will bring the farmer’s perspective to the board and looks forward to further developing its green market initiatives.
The Napa Farmers Market is open Saturdays year-round from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the South Napa Century Center, 195 Gasser Drive, Napa. Tuesday markets begin in the spring. The Farmers Market accepts WIC, CalFresh EBT cards and the Senior Nutrition Program (available through WIC). CalFresh EBT users can receive double the value of the withdrawal from their EBT account at the market’s information booth.
For more market information and a schedule of upcoming events, visit NapaFarmersMarket.org or visit the market on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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Media Contact: Tia Butts, Tia Butts|pr, 707-260-5620, tia@tiabuttspr.com
