Press
2024 Announcement: Duskie Announces Planned Departure as Executive Director of Farm to Pantry.
After nearly 4 years of dedicated service, Duskie Estes has made the heartfelt decision to step down from her role, effective February 29, 2024. Estes leaves behind a legacy of transformative accomplishments during her tenure. Under Duskie's leadership, Farm to Pantry experienced almost unimaginable growth: gleans were expanded from less than 100 per year to an impressive 1,200 and properties went from 40 glean sites in 2019 to over 350 in 2023. The organization's impact skyrocketed with food donations escalating from 75,000 pounds in 2019 to an astounding 400,000 pounds annually for the past four years. Estes' unwavering dedication and ceaseless energy pushed the boundaries of what a small nonprofit with only a handful of employees can accomplish; she has ensured that MORE of Sonoma County's abundance was able to reach MORE families in need.
Estes reflected on her time stating, "Over the past four years, I have been inspired by the commitment of our volunteer gleaners to give of themselves and the willingness of our local growers and farmers to share their bounty-- so that others can eat good food. It has been a privilege to see kids discovering and loving nutritious produce and to have my 'office' be beautiful Sonoma County. Fighting food injustice has always been a part of who I am and what I do. As I begin a new chapter, it will remain part of my core, only now, I will be supporting from the sidelines as a coach and as the LOUDEST cheerleader for food justice you ever heard! I am grateful for being a part of this mighty collective effort to ensure no one goes hungry when we are surrounded by abundance."
Farm to Pantry expresses deep gratitude for Duskie's passionate leadership and outstanding contributions, and the Board of Directors and staff wish her the very best in future endeavors. Farm to Pantry will continue to collaborate with Duskie as they actualize their mission to bring together our communities to end food injustice.
Contact Kelly Conrad at 707-495-3495 or abundance@farmtopantry.org for more information.
KSRO: "Duskie Estes stepping away from Farm to Pantry," February 2, 2024
The Press Democrat: "Celebrity Chef departs Sonoma food nonprofit," January 31, 2024
KSRO: "Duskie Estes stepping away from Farm to Pantry," February 2, 2024
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Sonoma Index Tribune: F2P Featured as Partner in feeding the 8K Sonoma Valley Residents Facing Food Insecurity, February 6, 2023
Travel Daily News Int’l: F2P Featured as Part of Visit California & Kind Traveler Regenerative Tourism Program, January 26, 2023
Healdsburg Patch: “Pic of the Day,”
Featuring Farm to Pantry’s Little Gleaners, November 8, 2022
North Bay Business Journal:
Two “North Bay Gives” Award-Winners Involved with Farm to Pantry - Summit State Bank & Kendall Jackson, November 7, 2022
Radio Misfits Podcast Network, “The Wine Makers”:
Duskie Estes & Haystack Farm Farmer Jerome Cunnie Discuss Food Insecurity, Farming & More
October 14, 2022
Sonoma Index Tribune: Willie Nelson Performs at a Private Event Including the Staff of Farm to Pantry, October 11, 2022
Sonoma Valley Sun:
Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund Recognizes 2022 Star Volunteers - Amelia Belle & Bob Rudolf from Farm to Pantry, October 10, 2022
Press Democrat:
Record Day of Fruit Gathering from Jack London Park with Farm to Pantry, July 27, 2022
Sonoma Magazine:
Article on Global Cuisine & Wine Pairing, Featuring Farm to Pantry Board Member Chef Preeti Mistry, June, 2022
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Local Star Chefs Participating Include Duskie Estes of Farm to Pantry, May 13, 2022
Press Democrat: “Windsor Woman Fights Food Insecurity…at Local Nonprofit,” April 28, 2022
Sonoma Magazine: “When life gives you an overflowing bounty of apples, make hard cider,” April 2022
Sonoma Index Tribune: “Quotes to think about from last weekend,” - Featuring a quote from Duskie Estes from the screening of Kitchenistas, March 31, 2022
SoCo News: “Farm to Pantry is One of 13 Local Nonprofits to Have Received a Grant from Healdsburg Forever’s Community Impact Fund,” March 30, 2022
Feast & Field: Chef Duskie Estes’ Culinary Passions, March 29, 2022
Press Democrat: Noble Goat Farm’s Dedication to the Community & Farm to Pantry, March 27, 2022
Patch.com: “Healdsburg Pics of the Day:” Photos of the Planting of Jardin de Brillo, March 25, 2022
Sonoma Index Tribune: “Chef Duskie will be at the Screening of ‘Kitchenistas’ to talk about F2P & provide everyone with Bacon Caramel Popcorn!” March 24, 2022
The Press Democrat: “Volunteer Opportunities Highlighted in Partnership with Catholic Charities.” March 23, 2022
Brewbound.com: “Golden State Cider releases New Farm-To-Cider, the Sonoma County Cider that Gives Back” March 21, 2022
SoCo News Healdsburg: “Farm to Pantry Goes Fashion Forward with Gapelii Partnership,” March 3, 2022
Roseville Today highlights Farm to Pantry’s Foray into Agri-Tourism: “Volunteer While Visiting,” January 1, 2022
The Press Democrat: “Healdsburg Food Pantry, a Lifeline for Families During the Pandemic,” January 1, 2022
KSRO, Sonoma County Focus: Farm to Pantry Applesauce Donation, December 29, 2021
SoCo News: “Farm to Pantry Donates over 12,000 Jars of Applesauce to Redwood Empire Food Bank,” December 22, 2021
Sonoma Index Tribune: “Operation Christmas Tree” is Bringing Joy to Many Families who are Struggling this Year, December 9, 2021
Sonoma Magazine: F2P Featured in Giving Tuesday Article, November 25, 2021
Edible Marin & Wine Country: Features the Work of Farm to Pantry, November 22, 2021
Sonoma Index Tribune: “It Takes a Village to Feed the Hungry,” November 22, 2021
Press Democrat: Tips on Harvesting November Fruits & Creating a Rain Garden, November 19, 2021
Sonoma Index Tribune: Sonoma County Volunteer Opportunities Mentions Farm to Pantry, October 23, 2021
Press Democrat: Healdsburg Forever Nonprofit Aid - Highlights Farm to Pantry, September 25, 2021
Sonoma Index Tribune: Haystack Farm Celebrates Harvest with Emmylou Harris & Farm to Pantry, September 25, 2021
Farm to Pantry Partner Throws an Epic “Haystack Hoedown” with Emmylou Harris: All Produce from Haystack Farm goes to F2P for those Facing Food Insecurity, September 21, 2021
F2P Partnership with Jack London State Park: “Take 5 with Jack,” A Video Short from Jack London State Park, September 2021
Massican Magazine: “A Life in Service,” by Virginie Boone - a Beautiful Portrayal of Duskie Estes & Farm to Pantry, September 2021
Sonoma Valley Sun: “Farm to Pantry Branches Out Gleaning,” August 25, 2021
Sonoma Index Tribune: “Farm to Pantry Branches Out Gleaning,” August 19, 2021
Sonoma Index Tribune: “Gleaners Make the Most of Forgotten Jack London Orchard,” August 16, 2021
Healdsburg Patch: “Healdsburg NonProfit is Paying Tribute to Caroline Marker,” August 13, 2021
Musings Magazine: “Gleaning Farms for Food Justice,” July 31, 2021
Sonoma Index Tribune: Farm to Pantry is “Gleaning Farms to Feed the Hungry,” July 30, 2021
AmeriCorps Volunteers Present their Work with Farm to Pantry (Amy & Joy’s Presentation Starts at 24:00), July 30, 2021
KSVY 91.3 FM Radio: Duskie Estes Talks about Farm to pantry and Food Justice, July 23, 2021
Innovating for Impact Forum: FS6 Cohorts (including Duskie Estes) Talk about Building Strong Community Food Webs, June 22, 2021
Press Democrat: F2P Board Member Heads to Yale for Master’s in Public Health, May 8, 2021
Patch Announces that Alexander Valley Ladies Aid Presented the 2021 Friend of Youth Award to Duskie Estes, April 28, 2021
Press Democrat Promotes Harmon Guest House Rooftop’s Spirit of the Month Series with a Portion of the Proceeds Going to Support F2P, April 27, 2021
Bon Appetit Magazine Features our New Board Member Preeti Mistry, April 2021
Shelley Trimm is Honored as a Rockstar Volunteer by the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership, April 2021
Wine Industry Advisor & Wine Business Monthly Cover F2P’s Partnership with Piper Sonoma, April 13, 2021
The Healdsburg Tribune Highlights the Healthcare Foundation’s Emergency Healthcare Funding to Farm To Pantry & Other Local Organizations, April 7, 2021
Men’s Journal: “Socially & Environmentally Responsible Hotels Committed to Saving the World” - Harmon Guest House Partners with Farm to Pantry for Gleaning Experiences, April 7, 2021
Thrive Meetings & Events “Eating at a Meeting” - Duskie & Farm to Pantry Featured on their Podcast, March 17, 2021
Healthcare Foundation - Announces New Grants for March and Supports Farm to Pantry, Among Other Local Organizations, March 16, 2021
Departures Magazine - Duskie Estes is the Featured American Artisan, Talking about Sustainability & Food Insecurity, March 12, 2021
Press Democrat - Imagine Dragons Bassist Ken McKee Supports Farm to Pantry, Among Other Local Organizations, March 10, 2021
Visit California - Sonoma County Tourism Celebrates Iconic Women for Women’s History Month, Featuring Duskie Estes, March 5, 2021
KRCB “Bay Area bountiful” - Features Sonoma County Black Forum & F2P’s Partnership for Black History Month with Board Member Rosa Gonzalez Interview, February 2021
KRSH 95.9 “From Farm to Table” - Tawny Tesconi of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Talks with Duskie Estes, February 11, 2021
US News - Features Farm to Pantry & Growing The Table, February 5, 2021
Sonoma Magazine - Highlights Farm to Pantry’s Olive Oil, January 2021
Press Democrat - Mentions Farm to Pantry’s Partnership with Black Forum, January 15, 2021
Sonoma County Gazette - Farm to Pantry Contributes to Black Forum Food Distribution, January 14, 2021
Healdsburg Tribune - Year in Review: People, Duskie Estes Was Named F2P’s Executive Director, December 21, 2020
Civil Eats - Civil Eats, touted for their penetrating, revealing & hard-hitting stories, Features Duskie & F2P and beautifully encapsulates our mission, December 21, 2020
Read the story here (watch the video below)
North Bay Business Journal - Honors Duskie Estes with Nonprofit Leadership Award, December 15, 2020
F2P Environmental Award from the Sonoma County Conservation Council - Special Recognition for Local Produce Rescue, December 4, 2020
Press Democrat - Features Farm to Pantry Event with Dustin Valette, December 1, 2020
Press Democrat - Farm to Pantry Joins Other Community Partners to Assist Black Forum, November 22, 2020
Wine Spectator - Singlethread’s Partnership with Farm to Pantry is Recognized, November 19, 2020
The Healdsburg Tribune - F2P Founder Melita Love Praises Wetzel Community Leadership Award Recipients (also dedicated F2P volunteers), November 15, 2020
San Francisco Chronicle - Internationally Renowned Singlethread Farm Donates Produce to Farm to Pantry, November 3, 2020
Duskie Estes Honored with North Bay Nonprofit Leadership Award - North Bay Business Journal, October 2020
“Healdsburg Hotels Team Up with Celebrity Chef to Offer Guests Hands-On Harvest Experience” - Sonoma Magazine, October 2020
“Waste Not, Want Not” - Made Local Magazine, October 2020
Founder of Farm to Pantry Wins North Bay Spirit Award - Press Democrat, September 2020
“Women in Conversation” - Press Democrat, September 18, 2020
Countywide Food Emergency Is Growing - The Healdsburg Tribune, September 2020
Volunteers Gather Apples in Sonoma County to Make Juice for People Struggling During Pandemic - Press Democrat, August 5, 2020
Healthcare Foundation Announces $100,000 in Grants - Sonoma Index Tribune, August 2020
Farm to Pantry, Guy Fieri & Friends Come Together to Feed Firefighters & First Responders - Press Democrat, August 28, 2020
Staff Writer Chris Smith covers the work of Farm to Pantry and the importance of having fresh vegetables in the mix to refuel our valiant first responders battling the fires threatening our community.
Healdsburg Running Company Partners Up to Feed Firefighters; Farm to Pantry Helps Out - The Healdsburg Tribune, August 27, 2020
Benefit Cooking Class with Homeward Bound & Duskie Estes - Press Democrat, August 19, 2020
Duskie & her husband John host a virtual Happy Hour & Cooking Class on September 10th at 5pm!
Good Food Hour on KSRO with John Ash & Duskie Estes - July 18, 2020
Take a listen as Duskie & John discuss food justice, as those facing food insecurity continues to surge to unsettling levels.
Press Democrat Features Farm to Pantry in Action! - July 11, 2020
Journalist Ethan Varian joins Farm to Pantry for a glean at Lipton farm in the Dry Creek Valley.
Sonoma Magazine Features Renowned Local Chefs, including our own Duskie Estes - July 2020
Duskie shares her recipe for Cherry %2 Rhubarb Crostada with Rose Geranium Gelato!
KRCB FM Radio 91 in Rohnert Park
An interview with Duskie Estes on NorCal Public Media about nourishing neighbors in need. Aired Friday, July 3, 2020.
Charlie Palmer American Artisan Episode with Duskie Estes & John Stewart
Charlie Palmer interviews Duskie Estes and her husband John Stewart at the Santa Rosa Farmers’ Market. Duskie waxes poetic about responsible bacon consumption as well!
The Healdsburg Tribune - May 2020
Food Bank Needs Help Amid Increasing Demand - and Farm to Pantry Rises to the Occasion!
Flipping the Table
Chef Duskie Estes and Melita Love of Farm to Pantry share benefits of gleaning to feed the hungry and the fight to end food waste.
Healdsburg Mill District Sawflier - May 2020
Duskie Estes makes a career pivot as the new executive director of Farm to Pantry.
Healdsburg Tribune/Sonoma West - West County Chef is New Director of Farm to Pantry, May 20, 2020
Sonoma Magazine - Sonoma County Celebrity Chef Becomes Queen of Glean, April 20, 2020
Duskie Estes has swapped her knife and chef’s whites for a long-poled fruit picker and mud boots as the new executive director of Farm to Pantry.
Civil Eats August 2019
Read the featured article, “Study Finds Farm-Level Food Waste is Much Worse Than We Thought" authored by Gosia Wozniacka.
Healdsburg Tribune August 2019
Read the featured article "Couple’s farm donates its harvest" authored by Katherine Minkiewicz.
Matador Network June 2019
Read the featued article, "How Sonoma became America’s most sustainable wine region" authored by Shauna Farnell
JustLuxe June 2019
Read the featured article, "Here's Why Sonoma County Will Be The First 100% Sustainable Wine Region By 2020" authored by Carin Von Berg.
North Bay Voyager April 2019
Read the featured article, “Landmark Vineyards Gives Back to Sonoma Nonprofits” authored by Sarah Stierch.
Council on Aging’s Monthly Newspaper January 2019
John Mentzer (pictured), long-time volunteer and friend to Farm to Pantry, shared his enthusiasm for partnering with Farm to Pantry and a vision of cultivating community through healthy food.
HEALDSBURG TRIBUNE November 2018
Farm to Pantry Celebrates a Decade!
HEALDSBURG TRIBUNE SEPTEMBER 2018
Read the featured article "Humanity First: Gleaning with purpose" authored by Matt Villano.
Photographs courtesy of Cynthia Glassell
Summer Supper splash 2018
The Summer Supper Splash was a huge success this year! Read the article below from the Healdsburg Tribune, pictured is Executive Director Connie Newhall, board members Kim Brown, Dawnelise Rosen and Elizabeth McLachlan.
Healdsburg Tribune August 2018
Dani Wilcox, program director, (Lower left picture) participated at the Zucchini Festival representing Farm To Pantry.
Sonoma Magazine August 2018
Farm to Pantry was featured in the Sonoma Magazine Bite Club submitted by Connie Newhall, Executive Director.
The Healdsburg Tribune - May 10, 2018
The Healdsburg Tribune - May 10, 2018
krcb Northbay Bountiful --December 2017
The windsor times November 2017
Read the featured article, "Nonprofit feeding county through gleaning" authored by Stuart Tiffen.
