Email:
F.R.E.S.H. New London
c/o Gemma E. Moran/United Way Labor Food Center
Box 429, 374 Broad Street
New London, CT 06320
Phone: (860) 444-8050 ext.14 Fax: (860) 444-8053
Our People
Arthur’s Biography
Emily’s Biography
Anique’s Biography
Arthur Lerner Biography
Director of Operations and Co-Founder of F.R.E.S.H. New London
The mission of F.R.E.S.H. New London (Food: Resources, Education, Security, Health in New London County, Connecticut) is to encourage, educate and empower people in New London to participate in the transformation of their food system
We work to transform the food system from what it is to what it ought to be: healthful, universally accessible, sustainable, just and beautiful!
Arthur was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia; from there was able to witness beautiful PA farmland, a teeming metropolis, and a sprawling area in-between. The experience of growing up in that sprawl helped him begin to ask questions and eventually re-discover the importance, the fragility and the universal commonality of our human connection to the natural world. In a first year college course in Environmental Science where conservationists and farmers were pitted against each other, farming and agro-ecology became a focus. Out of deep personal passion for social justice and anti-racism, the notion of ecology- the science of interconnection- came to represent for Arthur study and analysis that takes both natural and human made cycles and events into account. With a degree from Hampshire College, years of practical experience as a builder & small scale farmer, a wife and two wonderful young daughters, Arthur began creating FRESH New London in 2004 as a means to channel his passion for making practical improvements in how people eat and our ability to be stewards of natural resources, including our own health. It was of critical importance to work in a way that was highly accessible to all, regardless of income or background, as this movement towards greater stewardship and a saner food system must be just and equitable to really be sustainable and beautiful.
Emily Lerner Biography
Director of Personnel at FRESH.
Emily grew up in Lyme, CT, a small town 20 minutes from New London. She and Arthur moved to Connecticut after their first child, Ellanora, was born and fell in love with New London. Their younger daughter, Simone, will be four this fall and is the same age as FRESH; as Simone has grown, Emily’s role at FRESH has evolved from one of behind-the-scenes support to active day-to-day involvement. Emily’s passions focus on the health of people and the health of the natural world. One of the intersections of these is healthy food. Emily brings years of experience and learning in the fields of agriculture, cooking, natural healing, mothering and environmentalism to her work at FRESH. Emily is deeply committed to creating a culture at FRESH that strives to reflect the values of open communication, anti-racism, community activism, commitment to growth and balance, personal health, and empowerment.
Anique Wiggins
FRESH Education Coordinator
Hello, my name is Anique, and I am the Education Coordinator with F.R.E.S.H. New London. I'm a New London native, with a son in the New London Public School system. I am currently seeking a degree in Education with a major in Environmental Science.
Jessica Cartagena
FRESH Community Organizer
My journey with FRESH New London has been my biggest adventure scents I started in the summer of 2006. My name is Jessica Cartagena; I’m 18years old.
I have grew being part of FRESH, from Youth Crew Member, Youth Leader to the FRESH Community Organizer. I have learned so much and shared my experience with everyone I have come across. I love working at FRESH, I feel like an agent educating the people in New London about avoiding unhealthy foods and how corrupted our society is currently.
I never knew about globalization, media and the Pyramid of Power until I started working here (and more). It’s more than just the fruits and vegetables that we at FRESH grow. Its Centuries worth of work… From our Fathers & Mothers before us who grew vegetables and worked for the government here in the United States, un-thought threw plans for easy living finally has met with their children of the future, the word ‘Consequences’ has come to a rise. Like the tainted produce we eat at grocery stores, hormone enhanced cow meats we eat, ect…
Developing healthy eating habits for yourself and children because you role model what they will eat. Revolutionize your life, your world… That’s why I’m still standing here at FRESH… Be apart of Change!!