Melissa (Motejunas) Persico

Having spent her entire career in the food service industry, Melissa rose to prominent management roles with top restaurants and chefs nationwide.

Before joining Harvesting Good, Melissa worked as the Procurement and Strategic Accounts Manager at Native Maine Produce. She led the company’s local procurement, advocacy, and community outreach work while managing a portfolio of more than 600 school, non-profit, and institutional accounts across Maine and New Hampshire.

At Harvesting Good, Melissa serves as General Manager, leading a mission-driven subsidiary of Good Shepherd Food Bank dedicated to making local food available year-round. Through partnerships with farms, processors, schools, and institutions across New England, she has expanded opportunities for regional growers while increasing access to healthy, local produce for communities.

A lifelong Mainer, Melissa has a deep connection and passion for education, children, and advocacy. She serves on the Network Advisory Committee of FINE, Sodexo’s Maine Course Advisory Committee, and the MEFTI Leadership Team. She is also a member of the Maine Food Convergence and Maine Farm and Sea to School.