MARKET - Key Persons
Jody is a South Coast native who comes from a family with a long history of fishermen and farmers. Jody got the retail food bug early on working locally at a vegetable stand, bakery, grocery store and café. Her experience taught her how to run a well-oiled machine, expert at managing, creating long-term relationships with both customers and the hundreds of employees she's hired over the years, and juggling the day-to-day challenges a multi-platform business creates, always hands-on. She is also the author of a children's book, "I'm No Different," cherishes people and her community through years of volunteer work, and realizes that to connect with love, laughter, loyalty - and food - is the best and most fulfilling way to live.
A New Jersey native, Ricky's early experiences with food left him less than interested in the industry, being comprised mostly of franchises and a local Indian restaurant. A move to California in 2006 got him cooking for himself and a job washing dishes in a Greek restaurant. A promotion to sauté cook came next, and he finally found his way back East, working as a pastry chef in Boston.
Still feeling he hadn't found his place in the culinary world, he started his own knife-sharpening company, specializing in Japanese knives and vintage knife restoration - but it wasn't enough. When he went to Brookline's Washington Square Tavern in 2012 to sharpen their deli slicer, he learned they were doing whole animal butchery, took a job there immediately, and fell back in love with food and making everything from scratch. Ricky has brought that love to Farm & Coast, and is always ready
Job Titles:
- Kitchen Manager / Head Baker
For more than thirty years, Susan Igler has felt most at home in the kitchen. Upon moving to the South Coast, she owned a successful bakery in Westport, which focused on authentic Italian pastries, breads, and baked goods. Susan eventually brought her talents to a local market where she was instrumental in creating a "specifically from scratch" department. Starting with a specialty bakery, she then expanded towards creating healthier fresh salads, prepared meals, grab-and-go items, and hot food for a rotisserie counter. Being an avid fisherman and gardener, Susan enjoys working with and creating food that she has grown or caught herself, making her a perfect fit for the Farm and Coast Market team.