A respected leader in the Augusta-area sustainable local food community will play a pivotal role in the statewide expansion efforts of Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG), a 16-year-old statewide nonprofit that makes fresh, healthy, locally-grown produce affordable and available to all Georgians.

Rebecca van Loenen, previously the Executive Director of Augusta Locally Grown, joins the WWG leadership team as the Director of Strategy and Program Innovation. In this position, Rebecca will be responsible for expanding WWG’s programs in the Augusta area, creating initiatives that can be adapted in other communities around Georgia.

“Rebecca is the perfect addition to our team as we work together to put locally grown produce on the kitchen tables of families and dollars in the hands of Georgia’s small, independent farmers” said Will Sellers, WWG’s Executive Director. “Her expertise will play an important role in our efforts to create the Georgia that we all want to live in.”

As the leader of Augusta Locally Grown, a community partner of WWG, Rebecca helped build the organization into a multi-million-dollar food hub, scaling its budget and staff by 800% in two years. Rebecca secured many federal grants to provide business classes and membership to those who run sustainable farms, among other initiatives. 

“I believe food is what knits us all together, and that we are all welcome at the same table,” said Rebecca, who grew up on a small farm. “I’m proud to join the WWG team — I have seen firsthand the benefits these programs have on the community and the farmers themselves, and I’ll put in the work to provide access to even more Georgians.”