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

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.

Olivia Cerf, Board Member at Large

Olivia Cerf has been shopping at the Melrose Farmers' Market since 2021. Farmers' markets contribute to many of Olivia's hopes for our best possible world: investing in local business, enhancing access to nutritious food, helping farms thrive as businesses, reducing "food miles", and bringing people together to enjoy arts, each other, and the outdoors. Her professional experience is in global telehealth partnerships and in corporate wellness, and she is glad to have the opportunity to contribute some of her skills closer to home. 

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. For Kristen, the Market is a wonderful family-friendly community space, and you will often see her children helping the vendors or sampling the produce and baked goods.

Steph Zabel, Market Manager

Steph’s background is in plant science, ethnobotany and herbalism, and her life’s work is to connect people with the natural world while fostering a strong sense of community. She’s the founder of Herbstalk, a beloved herbal gathering which brings together crafters, educators and students from across New England. With her event planning experience Steph is thrilled to support the Melrose Farmers’ Market in its mission of creating vibrant community, uplifting local farmers and businesses, and providing access to fresh food. Steph has lived in Melrose with her family since 2016 and can often be found tending her garden or chasing down a flock of backyard chickens.