Fiona Steel

CEO

Fiona joined GFO in 2020, after working in a variety of roles across non-profit organisations including supporting social enterprises and social entrepreneurs in building impactful, purpose-driven businesses. Prior to this, Fiona was a management consultant, so the team often finds themselves navigating the occasional 2x2 matrix (don’t worry, she knows how to put that hat aside!). But what truly sparks Fiona’s interest is the human side of food—the stories, connections, and joy it brings to people’s lives. At GFO, she’s excited to be part of a team that helps nourish communities and create meaningful connections through good food. After much deliberation (and several taste tests!), Fiona has crowned squash as her current favourite vegetable… but who knows what will win her heart next!

Rachel Edwards

Operations Coordinator

Rachel began her career as a Medical Secretary and has since held various administrative roles. During the COVID pandemic, she volunteered on an administrative basis for Good Food Oxfordshire (GFO) while caring for her father, supporting community food services in Oxfordshire. Impressed with her commitment, GFO offered her a job continuing to do the latter, and she now also oversees operations for OxFarmToFork (a dynamic role she finds both thrilling and challenging!). The aims of GFO closely align with Rachel’s desire to see everyone able to enjoy nature-friendly, fresh produce that’s sustainable for our planet. Rachel’s favourite vegetable is beetroot (with Blackland Organics aubergine a close second), which she enjoys in sandwiches, salads, or even on pizza with spinach and feta!

Kelsi Farrington

Comms Lead and Fundraising Coordinator

Kelsi joined GFO in February 2023, bringing a diverse skill set that spans journalism, publishing, comms and project management for non-profits. With her background in human rights, Kelsi is passionate about equality, particularly in ensuring fair access to food. Originally from the Bahamas, she has lived in various corners of the UK (from Wales to Cornwall) since 2008 but the vibrant East Oxford community is her favourite home-from-home. A vegetarian since she was a teenager, avid cook and a passionate gardener, Kelsi found it hard to pick her favourite vegetable but pumpkin (which doubles as her family nickname) shines through in her favourite dishes, whether it’s in a curry, pasta or chili.

Caroline Welch

Project Lead

Janie Bickersteth

OxFarmToFork Project Lead

Aside from her attempts at growing her own vegetables (with limited success!), Janie has been helping others cultivate food for nearly 20 years. She has set up school vegetable patches, established a community garden, run Incredible Edible Lambeth, where she promoted and supported numerous community gardens throughout the Borough. After moving to Oxford four years ago, Janie joined GFO in 2022. She now leads the OxFarmToFork initiative, assisting farmers in selling directly to local institutions. Janie’s favorite vegetables are beans (broad, pea, French, and runner) which she enjoys raw or lightly steamed for just two minutes.

Rose Birch

OxFarmToFork Logistics and Data Coodinator

Having started as a volunteer at GFO in 2024, Rose is excited to be joining the team in her new role. Rose started life as a production manager in opera working across the UK as well as abroad. Later, she retrained, transitioning to the tech world to work as an account manager in a rapidly expanding sector. However, life changed again with a move abroad, and she started 15 years of work in the volunteer sector with many varied roles from teaching to being a charity trustee. Having been born on a working farm, Rose is excited to now be returning to her roots and involved in work she loves: improving access to healthy locally grown produce. Her favourite vegetable might have to be the potato, in all its varied forms, a humble companion that can offer something different at every meal.