Vanessa Zajfen

Vanessa Zajfen is an experienced professional in food and nutrition services, currently serving as a Senior Procurement Specialist at Chef Ann Foundation since August 2023 and as Director of Food & Nutrition Services at Ojai Unified School District since 2022. Previously, Vanessa held the position of Director of Food Nutrition Services at Ocean View School District from 2019 to 2022 and was the Director of Institutional Impact at Center for Good Food Purchasing from 2018 to 2019. From 2016 to 2018, Vanessa managed the ProCureWorks program, advocating for food system changes in schools and hospitals. Vanessa's career also includes work as a Program Specialist at USDA, where oversight of Farm to School grantees in the Midwest region was provided, and strategic development at San Diego Unified School District for its first farm to school program. With a Master's degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Iowa State University and a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Vanessa brings a robust background in sustainable food systems and policy development.