The Fishes & Loaves Food Alliance
The Fishes & Loaves Food Alliance is a nonprofit initiative founded by the creators of the Winchester Farm Exchange, Trish Preston and Chelsie Casagrande, dedicated to nourishing our Canal Winchester community and beyond—in both body and spirit.
Our mission is to collaborate with local farmers and growers to make fresh, local food more accessible to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Through partnerships with local producers, we help connect families with nutritious foods while strengthening the local agricultural community.
We also bring agriculture and nutrition education into area classrooms, giving students hands-on opportunities to learn about sustainable agriculture, where their food comes from, and healthy foods they can grow themselves.
Through community events and fundraising, Fishes & Loaves provides direct food support to school-aged children, families, and seniors experiencing food insecurity. Support may include gift cards to the Winchester Farm Exchange and other local markets, putting additional food dollars directly into the hands of those who need them most.
Together, we are growing more than food. We are growing knowledge, dignity, opportunity, community connection, and a stronger local food system, one neighbor, one farmer, and one child at a time.
Our Focus
Increasing Food Access
We fundraise to provide grocery gift cards that put additional food dollars directly into the hands of families, children, and seniors experiencing food insecurity. These resources give our neighbors greater access to fresh, nutritious, locally sourced food from farmers and markets throughout our community, while supporting local agriculture and strengthening our local food system.
Our Team
Lauren Preston Ertuncay
Lauren leads our education and outreach efforts in Canal Winchester schools, bringing hands-on agriculture, nutrition, and healthy food education directly to local students.
She brings valuable experience from her work experience with The Ohio State University Extension Farm to School program and as the former Growing to Green Educator at Franklin Park Conservatory. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, with a focus in Extension Education/Community Leadership and Human Nutrition. Currently, she is the Market Manager for the Winchester Farm Exchange.
Passionate about helping others understand where their food comes from and how healthy choices can begin right at home, Lauren loves creating engaging learning experiences for children. That passion extends to her own family, where she enjoys growing and preparing fresh foods from the garden for her husband and young daughter.
PROGRAM MANAGER AND EDUCATOR
Our board members
Trish Preston
Cori Rowley
Melissa Basnett
Amy Menke
Melissa Hazelbaker
Morgan Lyles
Kevin McCarty
Dr. Kameron Rinehart
Katherine Harrison
Lydia Tokarz.
Sarah Chinn Jones
Jennifer Beckwith