Melissa's passions are all things food related. With a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Guelph, Melissa went on to pursue a diploma in Natural Nutrition and develop a career as a Holistic Nutritionist. Through learning all that she did about the importance of feeding our bodies the right fue,l it became more and more obvious that it is our food system which is leading us to illness. After moving to Revelstoke in 2006, Melissa became involved with the North Columbia Environmental Society and helped to create the first community garden through what was then a committee of the NCES called the Local Food Initiative. Melissa served as a member and the chair of this committee, then created the Coordinator position in 2014 and filled it for 18 months. She helped to establish the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative as its own society, and continues on in a board member position. Melissa served as the Food Security Coordinator with Community Connections (Revelstoke) Society, working to implement recommendations from the Revelstoke Food Security Strategy to make Revelstoke a more food secure community. She is now working as a Food Security Specialist on a variety of local and regional projects. When Melissa isn't busy tackling community food security issues you can find her in the garden, on the trails, or teaching her kids the wonders of the world.