Food Security Programs Director
Annmarie oversees the Food Council’s food security programs, providing management support to the Food Recovery and Access Working Group and implementing aspects of the County's Food Security Response Strategy. Annmarie previously served as the Project Leader/Nutrition Educator for the University of Maryland Extension’s SNAP-Ed Program in Montgomery County, where she partnered with schools, food assistance providers, and farmers markets to implement nutrition education programming and promote policy, systems, and environmental changes aimed at creating a more equitable local food system for those facing food insecurity. Annmarie is a Registered Dietitian and a Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist in the state of Maryland. She holds a BS in Dietetics from the University of Maryland, College Park; as well as a BA in English from Brooklyn College, and a Master’s in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
SNAP Outreach Assistant
Daniele is a SNAP Outreach Assistant at Montgomery County Food Council (MCFC). She is a dynamic and compassionate community advocate, driven by a strong sense of service and a deep commitment to aiding underserved populations. She has 12+ years of expertise in customer service, management, and event coordination in the US and in Brazil. Proficient in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, she bridges communication gaps for diverse populations. Her educational background includes an MBA in Management with a concentration in Finance from Strayer University. She is also committed to giving back to her community. Her volunteer experiences in organizing events for the homeless and supporting children in need highlight her dedication to making a positive impact. Daniele's passion for giving back aligns perfectly with the Montgomery County Food Council's mission of ensuring universal food access.
Agriculture & Sustainability Specialist
Lorien provides support to the MoCo Made Initiative and the Farm to Food Bank program, and aids in addressing other local food economy, agriculture, and environmental sustainability issues. She is devoted to working towards a healthy, equitable, ecologically sustainable food system for all. She has worked on food system issues for nearly two decades, from laboring on farms, to leading agricultural and nutrition education, to nonprofit program coordination, to researching community nutrition and beginning farmer programming. She has implemented and evaluated programs for agricultural cooperative extension, first with Virginia Cooperative Extension, then with University of Maryland Extension. In addition to her role at MoCo Food Council, she currently operates a one-acre vegetable farm in the Montgomery County Agricultural Preserve, selling directly to consumers within the county. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Longwood University, a M.S. in Agricultural Extension Education, and a PhD in Agricultural Life Sciences, Community Viability, from Virginia Tech.
Co-Executive Director
Allison is the Co-Executive Director at the Montgomery County Food Council. Allison is honored to help lead the Food Council's work to strengthen our local food system’s resilience, and is committed to working alongside our dedicated partners and community members to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. She assumes this role after leading the Food Council's SNAP Outreach Program since 2021, a role in which she continues to serve. Allison is a registered dietitian who received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she also completed her dietetic internship. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wellesley College.
Senior Food Access Coordinator
Sharon Strerath is a Senior Food Access Coordinator for the Food Council's SNAP Outreach Program. She assists English and Spanish-speaking residents in applying for SNAP. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management from Vatel International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management and previously worked in the hospitality industry, which gave her the opportunity to travel to different countries, gain experiences, and focus on the service of customers. She enjoys working at the Food Council because it allows her to assist people from our community, and through that contributes to their nutritional well-being.
Co-Executive Director
Elizabeth is the Co-Executive Director of the Montgomery County Food Council, where she leads with a deep commitment to strengthening our local food system. She previously served as the Food Council's Director of Programs and Impact and as a member of the Food Security team, advancing initiatives to connect residents with food access resources and benefits. With a diverse background as a chef, food educator, and attorney, Elizabeth is passionate about collaborative, systems-level change that ensures healthy food and economic opportunity for all Montgomery County residents. She holds a B.A. from Holy Cross College, a J.D. from Georgetown University, and a certificate in pastry arts from L'Academie de Cuisine.
Food Systems Program Coordinator
Amanda serves as the Food Systems Program Coordinator for the Montgomery County Food Council. She brings a rich background in food systems, policy, and community engagement to the Food Council. She has worked across nonprofits, farms, and advocacy organizations to support equitable and sustainable food systems, including roles with the Organic Farmer's Association and the World Resources Institute. Amanda holds a Bachelor's with a focus on food and agriculture, and she is passionate about creating resilient local food networks.
AmeriCorps VISTA
Pia is the Montgomery County Food Council's 2026-2027 VISTA. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Pia is excited to bring her commitment to strengthening food systems to Montgomery County and its food council. Her experiences with food systems non-profits, local government, social science research, and youth garden programming shape her approach to promoting equitable, resilient futures in food and agriculture. Her work and perspectives are also informed by the 4 months she spent studying comparative food and agriculture in Ecuador, Malawi, and Spain. Pia graduated from Scripps College with an interdisciplinary BA in Food and Agriculture Systems.
Nov 9
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
Nov 19
This will be a chance to hear the results of the food council’s “deep dive” landscape assessment of the system of recovered food in Montgomery County, and recommendations for how to increase the volume of recovered food in the future.
Dec 1
The SNAP Work Group includes organizations that provide nutrition benefits enrollment assistance to residents, the Montgomery County Office of Eligibility and Support Services, and other groups that serve residents with low-income.
Jan 11
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
Feb 8
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
Apr 12
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
May 10
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
Jul 12
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.
Sep 13
The Food Council’s Food Security Calls are designed for learning, information-sharing and network building.