Dr. Leslie Hossfeld, is PhD Trained in Rural Sociology at North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and is Director of Public Sociology Undergraduate and Graduate Programs at UNCW. She received the 2005 Faculty Fellow in Public Policy and Public Engagement at the Institute for Emerging Issues at North Carolina State University.  Her research focuses on poverty and job loss in rural Southeastern North Carolina.  She has made presentations to the United States Congress and to the North Carolina Legislature on the subject of job loss and rural economic decline and recovery.  Dr. Hossfeld is co-founder of the Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program.

Jane Steigerwald, RD, LDN, is Program Director for Marketing and Institutional Buying. Jane is a NC State Licensed and Registered Dietitian with a Master of Science Degree in Nutrition Education. Jane has had an extensive career in clinical dietetics and foodservice management. Jane has been committed to food systems work since 2009 as a way to help communities  improve their health and well-being.

Renee Eli, MLA, is Program Director for Processing and Distribution. She has a Master of Liberal Arts Degree from the University of North Carolina Asheville. Her graduate work concentrated on the many interwoven issues of sustainability, with a primary focus on local food systems. Renee is an Environmental Educator and Certified Permaculture Designer whose emphasis has been educating and assisting farmers who want to transition from conventional to more environmentally sustainable and organic agricultural practices. Renee has also owned and operated a small artisan bread-baking business.

UNCW is the lead agency of the Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program. Committees are formed around critical needs and issues identified by the SENCFS Program.  Program co-chairs reflect public and private-sector partners. 

The SENCFS Program meets monthly.  Please consider joining a committee to help us sustain and expand our Local Food Systems work. To join a committee please email us at info@feastdowneast.org.

Co-chairs for SENCFS Committees