Meet the Mentors
*The 2024 MMC Mentorship program is currently underway and not accepting applications for mentors or mentees*
The MMC Mentorship program connects emerging food systems and mobile market practitioners with established leaders who will provide leadership, guidance and professional support. This program will offer mentees the chance to connect with mentors for 12 hours of one-on-one time over the course of 6 months at no cost. Read more about the 2024 mentors below, and keep an eye on this page if you want to be involved in 2025.
The MMC Mentorship program connects emerging food systems and mobile market practitioners with established leaders who will provide leadership, guidance and professional support. This program will offer mentees the chance to connect with mentors for 12 hours of one-on-one time over the course of 6 months at no cost. Read more about the 2024 mentors below, and keep an eye on this page if you want to be involved in 2025.
Ebony Eli, Foodlink (NY)
Hello everyone! I am the Program Development Specialist at Foodlink, a foodbank located in Rochester, NY. I started working at Foodlink as a mobile market operator 6 months into the pandemic and have seen the operation adapt and grow in numerous ways in my three and half years with the organization. I'm extremely proud to be a part of this work! I continually find myself using skills and knowledge from my experiences in AmeriCorps NCCC, my educational background in STEM and Sociology, and my creativity to help shape our programs in ways that we need and (most importantly) the communities we serve want. I am originally from Saginaw, Michigan, but found my way to Rochester in 2015 and have really taken a liking to the area, but I'm excited to venture into warmer climates. Fun fact: I have a bearded dragon named Sally!
Dai Kim, Mill City Grows (MA)
With a loyalty to Lowell, MA and a deep connection to the community for over 25 years, Dai has been pivotal at Mill City Grows since 2016. He orchestrated the expansive mobile market growth, integrating the successful Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program. Currently overseeing the urban farm and mobile market programs, Dai leverages his background in business management and marketing, along with corporate philanthropy, to efficiently coordinate the annual deployment of hundreds of volunteers, fueling MCGs' ongoing mission for food sovereignty.
Max Kulp, The Best Route (PA)
Max Kulp is the Co-Founder of The Best Route, a Mobile Market consulting group dedicated to transforming local food systems through innovative mobile programming.
Prior to co-founding The Best Route, Max honed his expertise as a Mobile Market operator for over six seasons, directly engaging with the challenges and opportunities of bringing fresh, sustainable food to diverse communities. His journey in the food sector began in 2014 facilitating free produce distributions at the regional food bank, where he developed a deep understanding of food insecurity and the critical role of accessible, sustainable food solutions.
Currently, Max is passionately involved in supporting local organizations to launch and pilot their own mobile market ventures. Through The Best Route, he offers a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to empower communities, fostering innovation and resilience in local food systems.
Francelino Marime, Fresh Truck (MA)
Francelino Marime, the Director of Operations at Fresh Truck, brings over 5 years of expertise in the dynamic realm of mobile markets. His journey with Fresh Truck began with a vision to revolutionize operational efficiency and elevate the mobile market experience for communities across Boston.
Upon joining Fresh Truck, Francelino recognized the untapped potential within the operational systems. With strategic acumen and a drive for innovation, he led the charge in redesigning the mobile markets, ensuring accessibility and enjoyment for all shoppers. Through his leadership, Francelino implemented cutting-edge systems that empowered the team to operate autonomously, fostering creativity and skill development.
A pivotal achievement in Francelino's tenure was the development of a robust inventory system. This not only streamlined operational processes but also provided invaluable insights into the diverse needs of the communities served by Fresh Truck. By leveraging these insights, Francelino orchestrated the expansion of weekly markets from 14 to 23, reaching over 50,000 families in Boston neighborhoods.
Beyond his operational prowess, Francelino is a skilled manager, adept at cultivating high-performing teams. With a focus on collaboration and growth, he oversees a dedicated team of 12 market managers and operations assistants, ensuring a seamless and enriching work environment.
Driven by a deep-rooted belief in community service, Francelino is committed to providing affordable access to healthy food options for Boston residents. His dedication shines through in his daily efforts to ensure that every Fresh Truck mobile market runs smoothly and is stocked with the finest produce available.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Francelino finds solace in music, indulging in his passion for playing guitar and savoring the melodies of great jazz.
Nicole Morba, Eastern Market (MI)
Nicole Morba has been managing mobile markets for the past seven years at Detroit's Eastern Market. She has a degree in Agribusiness Manager & Sustainable
Agriculture and Food Systems from Michigan State University. Nicole also has experience working in grocery retail & on urban farms. Farm Stand pops up at 20 locations across Metro-Detroit weekly, June - October. These locations are a mix of community sites and corporate sponsored sites. She is a Certified Market Manager through the Michigan Farmers Market Association. She specializes in food assistance currencies, procurement, pricing & strategic partnerships.
Tiffany Terrell, A Better Way Grocers (GA)
In 2017, Tiffany Terrell introduced the innovative concept of A Better Way Grocers' Mobile Grocery Store with a primary goal of improving community health through increased access to fresh food. Leading the initiative, she successfully converted a school bus into a mobile grocery store with a single aisle, enabling the distribution of nutritious food throughout Southwest Georgia to combat food access challenges. Recognizing the prevalence of food-related illnesses like Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and High Cholesterol in the communities she served, Tiffany expanded her efforts to promote overall health and well-being. Through extensive research and collaboration with local stakeholders, she developed new programs tailored to meet the specific needs of vulnerable populations.
In addition to her ongoing work in community health, Tiffany has spearheaded the development of innovative solutions for Food Access programs, striving to create sustainable and effective strategies for improving food security. Her dedication to addressing food access issues and promoting healthier lifestyles continues to make a positive impact on the communities she serves.
Seana Weaver, Fresh Truck (MA)
Seana Weaver is the Executive Director of Fresh Truck, nonprofit mobile market in Boston. Seana started her career working with unhoused youth in Seattle, WA and noticed that access to healthy, fresh food was a top issue for young people as they worked to get out of poverty, improve their education and move into housing. Since 2012, Seana has worked in restaurants, food banking and now mobile markets. She's passionate about building operations and systems that serve the end user and make a real difference in people's lives. Seana comes from a long line of Italian women and loves to cook for friends, family and her work team. She's run 12 marathons and loves to update thrifted furniture whenever she has time.
Kaiyon Williams, Feast Down East (NC)
Kaiyon is a Wilmington, NC native who joined the Feast Down East team in September 2021. He studied Social Work at North Carolina State University where he quickly learned that the Nonprofit sector is where he wanted to spend his time and build a career assisting others. He challenged himself to question society and worked to identify potential creative solutions to the issues faced by underserved communities. He continued this work after returning back to his hometown and found a spot fighting local hunger by bringing food, resources and education to those in need. He is excited to delve deep into the root issues of food insecurity and be part of a team that combats the issue in his local community.
When he’s not working, he loves to listen to music and form relationships with people from all walks of life. He believes in the power of mentorship, connection and coming together for the greater good.
Hello everyone! I am the Program Development Specialist at Foodlink, a foodbank located in Rochester, NY. I started working at Foodlink as a mobile market operator 6 months into the pandemic and have seen the operation adapt and grow in numerous ways in my three and half years with the organization. I'm extremely proud to be a part of this work! I continually find myself using skills and knowledge from my experiences in AmeriCorps NCCC, my educational background in STEM and Sociology, and my creativity to help shape our programs in ways that we need and (most importantly) the communities we serve want. I am originally from Saginaw, Michigan, but found my way to Rochester in 2015 and have really taken a liking to the area, but I'm excited to venture into warmer climates. Fun fact: I have a bearded dragon named Sally!
Dai Kim, Mill City Grows (MA)
With a loyalty to Lowell, MA and a deep connection to the community for over 25 years, Dai has been pivotal at Mill City Grows since 2016. He orchestrated the expansive mobile market growth, integrating the successful Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program. Currently overseeing the urban farm and mobile market programs, Dai leverages his background in business management and marketing, along with corporate philanthropy, to efficiently coordinate the annual deployment of hundreds of volunteers, fueling MCGs' ongoing mission for food sovereignty.
Max Kulp, The Best Route (PA)
Max Kulp is the Co-Founder of The Best Route, a Mobile Market consulting group dedicated to transforming local food systems through innovative mobile programming.
Prior to co-founding The Best Route, Max honed his expertise as a Mobile Market operator for over six seasons, directly engaging with the challenges and opportunities of bringing fresh, sustainable food to diverse communities. His journey in the food sector began in 2014 facilitating free produce distributions at the regional food bank, where he developed a deep understanding of food insecurity and the critical role of accessible, sustainable food solutions.
Currently, Max is passionately involved in supporting local organizations to launch and pilot their own mobile market ventures. Through The Best Route, he offers a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to empower communities, fostering innovation and resilience in local food systems.
Francelino Marime, Fresh Truck (MA)
Francelino Marime, the Director of Operations at Fresh Truck, brings over 5 years of expertise in the dynamic realm of mobile markets. His journey with Fresh Truck began with a vision to revolutionize operational efficiency and elevate the mobile market experience for communities across Boston.
Upon joining Fresh Truck, Francelino recognized the untapped potential within the operational systems. With strategic acumen and a drive for innovation, he led the charge in redesigning the mobile markets, ensuring accessibility and enjoyment for all shoppers. Through his leadership, Francelino implemented cutting-edge systems that empowered the team to operate autonomously, fostering creativity and skill development.
A pivotal achievement in Francelino's tenure was the development of a robust inventory system. This not only streamlined operational processes but also provided invaluable insights into the diverse needs of the communities served by Fresh Truck. By leveraging these insights, Francelino orchestrated the expansion of weekly markets from 14 to 23, reaching over 50,000 families in Boston neighborhoods.
Beyond his operational prowess, Francelino is a skilled manager, adept at cultivating high-performing teams. With a focus on collaboration and growth, he oversees a dedicated team of 12 market managers and operations assistants, ensuring a seamless and enriching work environment.
Driven by a deep-rooted belief in community service, Francelino is committed to providing affordable access to healthy food options for Boston residents. His dedication shines through in his daily efforts to ensure that every Fresh Truck mobile market runs smoothly and is stocked with the finest produce available.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Francelino finds solace in music, indulging in his passion for playing guitar and savoring the melodies of great jazz.
Nicole Morba, Eastern Market (MI)
Nicole Morba has been managing mobile markets for the past seven years at Detroit's Eastern Market. She has a degree in Agribusiness Manager & Sustainable
Agriculture and Food Systems from Michigan State University. Nicole also has experience working in grocery retail & on urban farms. Farm Stand pops up at 20 locations across Metro-Detroit weekly, June - October. These locations are a mix of community sites and corporate sponsored sites. She is a Certified Market Manager through the Michigan Farmers Market Association. She specializes in food assistance currencies, procurement, pricing & strategic partnerships.
Tiffany Terrell, A Better Way Grocers (GA)
In 2017, Tiffany Terrell introduced the innovative concept of A Better Way Grocers' Mobile Grocery Store with a primary goal of improving community health through increased access to fresh food. Leading the initiative, she successfully converted a school bus into a mobile grocery store with a single aisle, enabling the distribution of nutritious food throughout Southwest Georgia to combat food access challenges. Recognizing the prevalence of food-related illnesses like Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and High Cholesterol in the communities she served, Tiffany expanded her efforts to promote overall health and well-being. Through extensive research and collaboration with local stakeholders, she developed new programs tailored to meet the specific needs of vulnerable populations.
In addition to her ongoing work in community health, Tiffany has spearheaded the development of innovative solutions for Food Access programs, striving to create sustainable and effective strategies for improving food security. Her dedication to addressing food access issues and promoting healthier lifestyles continues to make a positive impact on the communities she serves.
Seana Weaver, Fresh Truck (MA)
Seana Weaver is the Executive Director of Fresh Truck, nonprofit mobile market in Boston. Seana started her career working with unhoused youth in Seattle, WA and noticed that access to healthy, fresh food was a top issue for young people as they worked to get out of poverty, improve their education and move into housing. Since 2012, Seana has worked in restaurants, food banking and now mobile markets. She's passionate about building operations and systems that serve the end user and make a real difference in people's lives. Seana comes from a long line of Italian women and loves to cook for friends, family and her work team. She's run 12 marathons and loves to update thrifted furniture whenever she has time.
Kaiyon Williams, Feast Down East (NC)
Kaiyon is a Wilmington, NC native who joined the Feast Down East team in September 2021. He studied Social Work at North Carolina State University where he quickly learned that the Nonprofit sector is where he wanted to spend his time and build a career assisting others. He challenged himself to question society and worked to identify potential creative solutions to the issues faced by underserved communities. He continued this work after returning back to his hometown and found a spot fighting local hunger by bringing food, resources and education to those in need. He is excited to delve deep into the root issues of food insecurity and be part of a team that combats the issue in his local community.
When he’s not working, he loves to listen to music and form relationships with people from all walks of life. He believes in the power of mentorship, connection and coming together for the greater good.