director
Shon Rainford

INFO@WORCESTERFOODHUB.ORG

As Director for the Worcester Regional Food Hub, Shon Rainford provides strategic leadership, as well as day-to-day oversight of all aspects of the Food Hub’s core operations.  Shon also provides business consultation and food safety training to food entrepreneurs in collaboration with the Worcester State University Center for Entrepreneurship and the Fitchburg State University IdeaLab.

Shon is a certified ServSafe Manager instructor and exam proctor. He is also trained in HACCP, PCQI, Better Process Control School, and Current Good Manufacturing Practices for Animal Food to assist entrepreneurs in the creation and monitoring of their food safety plans as well as prepare for municipal or state food permits.

Shon joined the Food Hub in February 2018 after leading teams at Heifer International, an organization that works with small farmers around the world to end hunger and poverty, as well as Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark in Charleston, South Carolina.  Prior to joining the non-profit world, Shon owned and operated a small retail business.

Shon is passionate about local, healthy food and supporting small farmers and businesses.  He lives with his wife and children in Rutland, Massachusetts.

Fitchburg public market manager
kim gordon laska

info@fitchburgpublicmarket.org

Kim joined the Food Hub in 2023, and manages the Fitchburg Public Market. 

She is a certified ServSafe Instructor and Exam Proctor and certified Red Cross First Aid & CPR Instructor. She also holds certificates from Better Process Control School, and as a Sanitation Control Practitioner, Cicerone Certified Beer Server, and Barista. She teaches ServSafe and ChokeSafe classes through the Food Hub, and assists entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.  

With backgrounds in digital media and events, Kim is on the front-line for promoting the Food Hub’s programs and entrepreneurs. Moving from her previous position as an Events Director where she regularly booked food trucks and vendors, to her position at the Food Hub where she can prepare those businesses for success, has been a true “full circle” moment. 

Kim was born in Worcester, and her greatest passion is building a stronger, healthier food system in Central Mass. She is also an avid long-distance runner, the Race Director of the Wachusett Mountain Race, and organizes several run clubs in the area,