Veggie Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity and reducing food waste in Santa Barbara County, announces the departure of Executive Director Judy Taggart and the appointment of Development Director Eryn Shugart, PhD, as Interim Executive Director. This leadership transition comes as Veggie Rescue celebrates its 15th anniversary, marking a decade and a half of service in bridging the gap between surplus food and those in need.
Veggie Rescue board chair David Coryat had this to say about the transition, “Eryn Shugart brings a rare combination of vision, experience, and heart to this role. Her leadership is defined by a deep understanding of community needs and a steadfast commitment to collaboration. Judy Taggart has been integral to the continued success of Veggie Rescue and has ensured everything is perfectly in place for this successful transition. The Board will be forever grateful for Judy’s wonderful leadership, dedication, and service to Veggie Rescue and its mission. As Veggie Rescue embarks on this next chapter, I am both extremely thankful for our past leadership and forever excited for Veggie Rescue’s continued thriving.”
Judy Taggart has been instrumental in furthering Veggie Rescue’s mission, modernizing operational systems, and strengthening partnerships with local farms and businesses. Under her leadership, Veggie Rescue rescued and redistributed over 630,000 pounds of surplus food in 2024 alone.
Reflecting on her tenure, Taggart stated, “It has been a privilege to serve as Executive Director of Veggie Rescue. I am deeply proud of what our team has accomplished in addressing hunger and food waste in our community, including the modernization of food tracking for greater effectiveness in serving our nonprofit partners. I am confident that the organization will continue to thrive under Eryn’s leadership. As our Development Director she has already demonstrated both her incredible talents and commitment to our mission.”
Stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director is Eryn Shugart, PhD, who has overseen the organization’s development efforts since the Fall of 2024. A Santa Barbara native, Shugart brings over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in executive, development, and program management roles. She holds a PhD in social psychology from Claremont Graduate University and is deeply committed to initiatives addressing climate change, food waste, and food insecurity. “I am honored to step into this role at Veggie Rescue during such a meaningful milestone for the organization,” said Shugart. “Our mission to provide fresh, nutritious food to those in need and reduce food waste is more critical than ever. I look forward to leading our dedicated team in continuing and expanding this vital work.”
15-Year Anniversary Celebration on May 1
As part of its 15-year anniversary, Veggie Rescue will host a special celebratory event, Gathering for Good, on May 1 at Folded Hills Winery in Gaviota. The evening will recognize the impact of its work and honor its founder, Santa Ynez Valley resident Terry Delaney. In addition, it will highlight the organization’s achievements in food recovery and its ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity and sustainability.
About Veggie Rescue
Veggie Rescue is the only nonprofit in Santa Barbara County that rescues perishable local produce from 60 farms and other businesses and delivers it within 24 hours to 45 nonprofit organizations supporting low-income families, youth, seniors, and those facing housing insecurity throughout Santa Barbara County. By bridging the gap between farmers and community organizations, Veggie Rescue improves the health of residents with limited access to fresh produce while positively impacting the environment.
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