Announcement by Sara Elnakib, chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences
Annalise VanVranken.
Please join me in welcoming Annalise VanVranken as the new Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) Educator in Atlantic County, effective August 1. A lifelong advocate for an equitable and sustainable food system, Annalise will be part of the Community Food Systems working group within FCHS.
Annalise is excited to bring her background in food systems, community nutrition, and hands-on food education to the role. Prior to Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), Annalise spent the past 11 years with FoodCorps, a national nonprofit that aims to advance children’s health, education, and well-being through nourishing food in schools. She first served as an AmeriCorps Member in Salem County, managing school gardens and supporting farm-to-school programming in the county. She later served as the Massachusetts Program Coordinator, facilitating food education trainings, managing school partnerships, and implementing programs across the state.
More recently, Annalise served as the Project Manager on the Policy & Partnerships team, leading grassroot advocacy efforts, alumni and community leadership development, scholarship distribution, and state and national partnership management.
Annalise holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Food Systems from Arizona State University. Born and raised in South Jersey, the Garden State inspired her love of food and the people who produce it. She is passionate about community food systems and food justice and eager to support FCHS and the community in Atlantic County.
Please join me in welcoming Annalise to the RCE/School of Environmental and Biological Sciences team!
