Staff Spotlight: Welcome Jess!

Jess started in February at Nourish working as the School Community Garden Facilitator. Originally from South-eastern NB, Jess has lived in Nova Scotia for twenty years, originally studying philosophy and social anthropology, making her way into gardens and fields post-graduation. Jess is long-time farm and food worker, following her passion and gaining skills in many aspects of food planting, growing and preparations. After running a bakery for 15 years, Jess went back to school during lockdown and studied Environmental Education and food systems. Jess is excited to bring her experience and excitement into supporting school gardening across the province.

What drew you to get involved with Nourish?  

When I was in school studying environmental studies and education, I got to focus on the Canadian School Food landscape, and learned how much work there is to be done in Canada to ensure universal access to tasty food for youth while they are at school. The cost-of-living crisis we are in makes this all the more urgent. Getting to support student food security and education with plants, schools and community gardeners as my job makes me feel very lucky.  

 If you could wave a magic wand and have your dream come true, what would your wish be for the food landscape in Nova Scotia? 

In my dream reality, there would be fruit trees and bushes everywhere, and edible perennials and pollinators growing around them. There wouldn’t be much grass, but instead fields of creeping plants like perennial cranberries and clover alongside the sidewalks. There would be no such thing as food deserts, but lots and lots of community-based grocers selling fresh produce and other groceries desired by the locals. There would be active community kitchens in each neighbourhood, and lots of shared cooking and food distribution to those without time or means to cook for themselves and their families. Oh yeah, and there would be an annual strawberry shortcake feast (a universal holiday of course), where communities would gather to celebrate the start of the summer harvest season and eat delicious food together.  

What is your favourite vegetable and why?  

I have many favourite vegetables, but I will say string beans are in the top three. They are my favourite vegetable to eat raw and as a road-trip snack. I love eggplant because of how mysterious it is. Each way you cook it yields unique aspects of its flavour and texture. Radicchio is another top 3. I love bitter foods and I find the shades of pink among the different varieties quite romantic.