Who We Are
The Waterbury Common Market operates under the Community Action Service Team (CAST), a nonprofit organization that's focused on helping people in Waterbury and the surrounding area. We are a 501(c)3 organization whose purpose is to assist lower-income citizens of Waterbury area who are dealing with transitions or other difficult situations; we help them with financial help or food.
Sara Whitehair, Director
Sara Whitehair started as Director of the Waterbury Food Shelf in January 2022. Since that time she has transformed the food shelf, moving it to a much larger, brighter location in the same building, and rebranding it to the Waterbury Common Market, a critical food resource for area residents.
A resident of Duxbury, Sara worked as a coordinator for more than six years at VT Fresh, a statewide program at the Vermont Food Bank that helps community food shelves incorporate fresh food into their offerings. She is thankful to have the opportunity to work closely with her neighbors and improve her community directly.
Rachel Babin, Market Manager
Rachel started as a volunteer with the Common Market and recently came onboard as Market Manager. She is passionate about solving environmental and food insecurity problems with equitable, nature-based solutions that strengthen our communities and preserve our planet for future generations.
Rachel lives in Waterbury Center on a 5-acre homestead with her husband, son, and rescue pup. They produce 100% of their electricity with renewable, solar energy. "My happy place is our 1,000-square-foot mixed vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower garden," she says, "where we grow roughly 50% of the produce we consume."
Board of Directors
Our board is made up of residents from the local area who are committed to helping their neighbors. Pictured from left to right are:
- Tom Reen
- Norma D'Anca
- Joan Spiegel
- Diane Leavitt, Treasurer
- Peter Plagge, Secretary
- Gregg Simpson, Chairperson
New Board Members Are Welcome!
The Board of the Waterbury Common Market typically meets on the third Thursday of each month. We invite you to get involved. Please send an email to Peter Plagge for more information.