Who We Are
The Northumberland County Food Policy Council is a diverse group of community partners who envision a vibrant, sustainable, food-secure Northumberland County. Individual member bios can be found below.
Russ Christianson – Chair
For three decades, Russ has worked with farmers, consumers, retailers, distributors, processors, co-operatives, governments and environmental organizations to increase the market share for local organic food. As the General Manager of the Ontario Federation of Food Co-ops and Clubs, he led the organization’s re-positioning as a premier organic food distributor. He worked with Kaviwiosa Manomin, an Ojibway owned wild rice co-op, to develop Canada’s first domestic fair trade product. Together with Mary Lou Morgan, Russ founded Origins Co-operative, creating a national brand for organic foods. Russ was also instrumental in negotiating a separate pool for organic milk in Ontario. He was a member and Co-Chair of the Toronto Food Policy Council during its first four years of operation and currently volunteers on the Northumberland County Food Policy Council. Russ lives on a reforested farm near Campbellford, Ontario with his partner Heidi Schaeffer.
Lucas Cleveland – Vice Chair
Nicole Beatty – Community Partner
Margaret Appleby – Chair Codrington Farmers Market.
Arlene Dorland – Farmers’ Federation/Union Rep
Lynn Phillips – CAO Representative
In my role as CAO for the Municipality of Trent Hills I oversee the operation of the municipality with a view to improve quality of life and further develop Trent Hills as the ideal destination to live, work and play. With over 15 years experience in the public sector, primarily in business development and rural economic development, I was the Community Development Officer for Trent Hills prior to accepting my current position. As a lifelong resident of Trent Hills, I am invested in the health and prosperity of this community and interested in the important role that agriculture and local food production can play.
OMAFRA Representative
Sarah Tanner – Manger, Northumberland County Community & Social Service
Kimberly Leadbeater, Registered Dietitian – HKPR District Health Unit Representative
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit works with residents of Northumberland and Haliburton counties and the City of Kawartha Lakes to prevent illness, protect against disease and promote healthy lifestyles. As a HKPR District Health Unit staff member, I work together with community partners to provide programs designed to create healthier communities and healthier residents. As a Public Health Dietitian, I strongly believe that in order to have a healthy, vibrant community, all residents must be food secure. Food security means more than just having enough to fill you up. In a food secure community, everyone has sufficient access to fresh, nutritious, affordable food that meets their nutritional needs and cultural preferences, produced in a way that minimizes impact to our environment. When not working as a Public Health Dietitian, I enjoy long distance running, walking, downhill and cross-country skiing.