Acadiana Food Alliance


ABOUT AFA

Acadiana Food Alliance
Aims to build income for regional producers, as we engage and unify the local foods movement in Acadiana by providing technical assistance, a regional vision and leadership. Our intention is to increase sales and consumption of local food, to develop new market opportunities for regionally produced agricultural products and to expand this area’s local food enterprises.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Nicole Johnson
Interim Board President
Nicole is a homeschooling mom, farmer and community leader dedicated to strengthening Acadiana’s local food system. Alongside her life and business partner, Trey, she operates L4S Farms, a small-scale farm focused on growing medicinal herbs, primarily ginger and multiple varieties of turmeric. They use sustainable and regenerative farming practices that support long-term soil health and community resilience.
She is also the co-founder of Fightingville Fresh Market, a twice-weekly neighborhood farmers market in downtown Lafayette that expands access to fresh, locally grown food in an underserved community while creating market opportunities for small and emerging producers. Through her work, Nicole is committed to advancing food access, supporting local farmers and fostering meaningful connections between food, health, and sustainability across Acadiana.


Chris Adams
Treasurer
As member of the Board of Directors for Earthshare Gardens, Chris has been deeply involved in Lafayette’s first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project for over 12 years. Chris co-founded Earthshare Gardens in 2002, helped plant its very first beds in 2005 and later served as Garden Manager. Over the years, he’s worn many hats—farmer, leader and advocate—all with a mission to grow food that nourishes both people and community.
Beyond the garden, Chris has worked across Louisiana to advance organic farming, serving as Statewide Organic Agriculture Director for Louisiana Central, Urban Sustainability Planner for Lafayette Consolidated Government and a dedicated leader with the Acadiana Food Alliance. His work connects farmers, builds markets and strengthens the local food movement we all benefit from. From crop planning to strategic planning, Chris continues to cultivate not just plants but connections that make our food system stronger.
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Marissa Winters
Board Member
Marissa is a passion-driven nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience creating impactful, community-centered initiatives. With a background in nutritional science and education, she is dedicated to addressing the full spectrum of community needs by improving access to healthcare, education, employment, housing, nutrition, mental health support and other essential services. She believes in the power of sustainable solutions to create lasting, positive change.
Marissa's work is rooted in a desire to right injustices and amplify the voices of the communities we serve. Listening, understanding and collaborating with those directly impacted is essential to developing meaningful solutions. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside dedicated partners to tackle complex challenges while ensuring that equity and inclusivity remain at the core of every effort. She views kindness not as a weakness but as a strength that drives transformation.
Guided by compassion, innovation and a commitment to collaboration, Marissa is inspired every day by the people and organizations she works with. She remains committed to growing, leading and helping build stronger and more resilient communities for all.

Be The Change You Want To See

Acadiana Food Alliance is currently accepting applications for new Board of Directors members who are passionate about strengthening Acadiana’s local food system and advancing equitable access to healthy, locally produced food. Board members play a vital role in guiding the organization’s strategic direction, supporting responsible governance and championing programs that build income opportunities for local farmers and producers while unifying the regional local foods movement.
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We welcome applications from individuals with experience or interest in:
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Farming, food production or food systems
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Business, finance, law or nonprofit governance
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Community development, education or public health
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Marketing, communications or fundraising
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Policy, advocacy or regional planning