Ari Derfel

Ari is the General Manager of the Kootenay Co-op Grocery in Nelson and former president of the Central Kootenay Food Policy Council. He is the former Executive Director of Slow Money, a national US organization focused on catalyzing investment in local food systems. He was formerly co-owner of Gather, the critically acclaimed, sustainable restaurant in Berkeley, California, and co-founder of Back to Earth Organic Catering, the first organic catering and event design company in North America. In 2008 Ari received international attention for his project of saving every single piece of trash and recycling he generated for an entire year, then had it turned into art. He has been featured in numerous print, television, web and radio media worldwide. He has lived in the Kootenays since 2015. 

Sectors: Retail, Restaurant, Environment, Youth, Waste Management
Location: Nelson
Website: Kootenay.coop

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