Veggie Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity and reducing food waste in Santa Barbara County, has announced the departure of executive director Judy Taggart and the appointment of Eryn Shugart as interim executive director.
Shugart is currently development director at Veggie Rescue.
The leadership transition comes as Veggie Rescue celebrates its 15th year of bridging the gap between surplus food and those in need.
“Eryn Shugart brings a rare combination of vision, experience and heart to this role, said David Coryat, Veggie Rescue Board chair. “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,” he said. “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.”
Taggart has been instrumental in furthering Veggie Rescue’s mission, modernizing operational systems, and strengthening partnerships with local farms and businesses.
Under Taggart’s leadership, Veggie Rescue rescued and redistributed more than 630,000 pounds of surplus food in 2024 alone.
“It has been a privilege to serve as executive director of Veggie Rescue,” Taggart said. 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.”
Shugart has overseen the organization’s development efforts since fall 2024. A Santa Barbara native, she brings some 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in executive, development, and program management roles.
Shugart holds a Ph.D in social psychology from Claremont Graduate University. She said she is 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,” she said. “Our mission to provide fresh, nutritious food to those in need and reduce food waste is more critical than ever.”
As part of its 15-year anniversary, Veggie Rescue will host a celebratory event called Gathering for Good, 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.
It will also highlight the organization’s achievements in food recovery and its ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity and sustainability.