Grinde selected to the Cochise county food network

Dedicated Coordinator Selected to Support the Cochise County Food Network

Sierra Vista, AZ – The Cochise County Food Network proudly announces the appointment of Wendee Carolan-Grinde as its new Cochise County Food Network Coordinator.

Grinde brings extensive experience in administrative leadership, nonprofit operations, and community engagement, having served in key roles such as Director of Operations at the University South Foundation, Executive Assistant, and Customer Service Administrator. Throughout her career, she has developed strong working relationships with nonprofits, businesses, schools, and government agencies across Cochise County—making her uniquely qualified to coordinate resources, strengthen collaboration among food pantries, and connect organizations to vital funding and support opportunities.

This transition follows the leadership of Becky Smyth, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Legacy Foundation, who has coordinated the Network for several years. Smyth emphasized the importance of continuity and growth:“Mrs. Grinde brings experience that will help build the capacity of and strengthen the Food Network as a whole. I look forward to transitioning this role to someone as highly qualified as Wendee. 

The Network was developed through Smyth’s work at the Legacy Foundation when she convened local food resource organizations such as pantries, food banks, community gardens, senior meal programs, and producers. The first meeting led to formalizing the Cochise County Food Network as a means for food resource organizations to stay in communication with each other, share resources and ideas, provide updates on challenges and needs, and learn about other local opportunities. During Smyth’s leadership, the Network held its first Cochise County Food Drive, began working with local producers to provide beef, tortillas, eggs, and other products at no cost to pantries through grant funding, coordinated the allocation of a $1,000,000 state grant between the pantries and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, and is beginning a pilot project as a state funded closed-loop referral hub to meet the needs of food insecure individuals and families across Cochise County.

Raised in Sierra Vista since 1972, when her father was stationed at Ft. Huachuca, Grinde views both the city and the greater county as her home. She reflected on the significance of her new role: "Sierra Vista is my hometown, but Cochise County is my community. I learned so much about the people and communities here during my time as Director of Operations at the University South Foundation, and I missed those connections when I left four years ago. This Coordinator position is exactly where I should be. I look forward to the relationships, adventures, and challenges this role will bring.”

The Network also extends its gratitude to Sarah Pacheco and Peach’s Pantry for supporting and housing this critical role, as well as to the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona and Arizona Complete Health, whose grant funding has made the position possible.

With Grinde’s leadership, the Cochise County Food Network is set to expand its efforts to improve food access, strengthen local partnerships, and ensure long-term sustainability in meeting the needs of communities throughout the county.