UPFRONT news

The new VegNET RDO bringing heart, humour and serious hustle to WA’s veggie scene

When you first meet Angela, it doesn’t take long to realise she’s one of those people who makes you feel instantly at ease. Warm, funny, and genuinely curious about the people around her — she’s the kind of person growers are going to enjoy having drop by the farmgate.

Words Anitra Stene, Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator vegetablesWA

ORIGINALLY from the brisk, pudding loving county of Yorkshire in northern England, Angela laughs when she talks about her roots.

“Yes, I absolutely know how to make Yorkshire Puddings — and properly too!” she says with a grin.

But behind the humour is someone with serious experience. Angela has spent the past 16 years working across WA in business to business roles, listening to people, solving problems, and building long term relationships that last. It’s the kind of background that slips seamlessly into the world of VegNET, where understanding people’s needs is just as important as understanding production systems.

Many growers may already know Angela from her work with Foodbank WA, where she spent years connecting with producers and seeing firsthand the realities of the food supply chain.

Now, she’s stepping into her new role as VegNET Regional Development Officer, and she’s excited to reconnect, not as the “Foodbank lady,” but as a partner in helping growers strengthen and future proof their businesses.

“I can’t wait to get out there and meet even more growers,” Angela says. “Some I already know, and it’s going to be really nice approaching those relationships from a different angle. My goal is to understand where they’re at, what challenges they’re facing, and how I can help make things easier.”

It’s clear she means it. Angela is at her best when she’s on the road, boots dusty, notebook in hand, having real conversations.

One of Angela’s biggest passions is reducing food waste, something she worked closely on in her previous role and is eager to continue exploring.

“I really care about food waste, it’s such a big issue but also one with real, practical solutions,” she explains.

“ I’m looking forward to hearing what it looks like on different farms and how I can support growers to tackle it in ways that make sense for them. ”

Her approach isn’t about preaching sustainability — it’s about rolling up her sleeves and working alongside growers on what matters to them.

If there’s one thread that runs through Angela’s career, it’s her love of finding solutions. She’s spent most of her working life tailor making answers to business needs, and she lights up when she talks about it.

But it’s people who energise her most.

“I genuinely love meeting new people,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to growing into this role and supporting our veggie growers. They’re so important — if we don’t stand behind them now, what will future generations have? That’s a scary thought.”

It’s this mix of enthusiasm, honesty, and genuine care that makes Angela such a welcome addition to the VegNET team.

And when she’s not working with growers, Angela is a woman of many passions. She loves craft beer, follows Leeds United with undying loyalty (and a bit of shouting at the TV), and has lived in Spain and Canada, experiences that spark her love for travel and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

With her combination of experience, curiosity, and heart, Angela is set to make a real impact in her new role. She’s ready to hit the ground running, meet more growers across WA, and dive into the work that matters most to them. If you see her around your region, don’t hesitate to say hello — she’ll be thrilled to meet you.