The Melrose Farmers Market is woman-run organization, with a small board of dedicated volunteers.

Board of Directors

Ali DiMatteo, Board Chair

Ali has been visiting the Market since she moved to Melrose in 2013 and currently serves as Chair of the Board. Ali has a JD and has worked in politics and policy for much of her career. She can usually be found chasing her two kids around the Market while updating the chalkboard signs. Behind the scenes, she works on the Market’s sponsorship program and the many fundraisers and events that help fund the Market and the SNAP match. Ali loves to buy tomatillos/husk cherries at the Market, and always stocks-up on them during the few weeks they are available.

Laura Kahl, Vice Chair

Laura started volunteering with the Farmers’ Market in 2016 and is currently the Vice Chair. She also coordinates the Market’s fantastic group of volunteers. Laura has lived in Melrose with her husband and two kids since 2015, and although she works as a lawyer for a firm in Wakefield she tries to make it to the Market after work as often as possible. Her favorite things to buy at the Market are the in-season tomatoes.

Julie Unger, Treasurer

Julie has worked with the Market since 2017, serving as a Market Manager, Board Member, and as the Market’s first Executive Director. Julie combines her passion for fresh local food with her management and logistical experience. A Jill of All Trades, Julie can be seen walking/running around the Market, and at her community cooking and gathering space The Kitchen

Olivia Wilkins, Board Member at Large

Olivia, an MHS alum, started volunteering with the Farmers’ Market in the Spring of 2022 and was appointed recently as the Board Treasurer. Olivia is a Registered Dietitian by trade with a strong background in culinary arts and she has an MBA. Given her love of food, the Market serves as her gastronomic inspiration. Olivia loves to buy fresh herbs and late summer stone fruits.

Doris Breay, Board Member at Large

Doris began volunteering at the Market in 2020 when she retired from teaching and working in university student affairs. She moved to Melrose to be near her family, and having been a loyal shopper at farmers markets for many years, volunteering at the Melrose market was a natural. Doris can usually be found at the market table welcoming shoppers and answering questions. Her favorite things about spending market day as a volunteer are the community that she sees each week and the healthy and delicious food she gets to eat and take home.

Ruth Moses, Board Member At Large

Shortly after moving to Melrose in 2014, Ruth started visiting and volunteering with the Market, and served as Board Treasurer. Ruth has an MBA in accounting/finance, and is currently working with small businesses and non-profits. Ruth may be seen performing all types of different jobs on market day, and periodically volunteers with fundraisers and events. Ruth loves the wide variety of fresh food available at the Market, enjoys buying what’s in season, and loves the sense of community there.

Joy Fay, Board Member at Large

Joy runs the children’s programming at the Market. She has been running fitness boot camps in Melrose since 2003. in February of 2014 she was inspired by the success of her first endeavor, Melrose Boot Camp, to also open Joy Yoga, a studio for children and their grown-ups.  The studio closed due to the covid-19 pandemic in spring of 2020. Joy has reinvented her children's programs and In the warmer months she offers outdoor education programs for children: Free-Range Kids. Joy continues to lead Melrose Boot Camp workouts year round.

Market Staff

Naomi Breay, SNAP/Market Coordinator

Naomi has been working at the market for two years. She is passionate about food, and loves being surrounded by the amazing Melrose and Market community. 

Kristen Schreck, Executive Director

Kristen is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is passionate about making nutrition education and healthy eating accessible for everyone. She also has a degree in business administration, so the Farmers’ Market felt like a natural fit for her interests and skills. Kristen advocates for nutrition issues as the volunteer Public Policy Coordinator for the Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and she serves as the Treasurer for The Bridge: A School/Community Partnership. When she’s not working or volunteering, Kristen can be found at the Horace Mann playground, on the sidelines of Melrose youth soccer and lacrosse games, or on the slopes in North Conway.