Valerie is a graduate of Central Bucks High School South and attended classes for Baking and Pastry at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. She spent the first seven years of her professional career at The Fresh Market in Horsham, PA, as a meat manager, becoming a certified meat cutter and receiving her ServSafe certification. It was there that Valerie shifted her passion from pastry to culinary arts in general. Recently, she has devoted her time to learning more about urban farming and farm-to-table practices. This new mentality influenced her  decision to join the Weavers Way team, which will allow her to further her passion for educating herself and others on how to keep the community happy, healthy and thriving.

Valerie is originally from Providence, RI, but has lived in the Philadelphia area for 15 years. She comes from a large family (the youngest of six siblings). She is also recently married and a new resident of Manayunk. She is a devoted animal lover. She spends the majority of her spare time caring for their multiple cats, all of which are either rescues or strays. She also has aspirations to travel and cook her way across the world. Using the knowledge gained from her travels, she would like to have her own food truck and provide a unique eating experience using flavors from her travels.

In the meantime, Valerie aspires to continue to bring healthful and sustainable meat and seafood to Weavers Way. She looks forward to meeting new members, producers and suppliers to help further the Co-op’s ideals of providing the best local ingredients while protecting the environment and all its creatures.