Jill Foley: Nowhere Else Felt Like Home

Written by Charles Noyes
Photos by Kelly Z Photography

Sponsored by Valley Home Improvement

Published in Northampton Living (June 2022)

Jill Foley is a Northampton native who’s excited to be back in the Valley. “After living in Boston for 10 years after college” she began, “nowhere else I went felt like home.” It was especially difficult because she had so many ties to the local community. She grew up doing laps at the YMCA and forming many of the lasting relationships she’s carried with her to present day.

Her first job was at the PineBrook Farm Stand, which was a perfect place for her to meet people and hear their stories. She also worked at the People’s Institute as a lifeguard, which for her felt like a full-circle moment. “I still have fond memories of swimming there as a kid,” she said.

Once a week Jill drives to Boston as the Member Engagement Director at the Massachusetts society of CPAs (Certified Public Accountants). Her career in accounting has lasted a combined 11 years split between accounting and her current role, and she’s come to truly appreciate the trust that businesses of every level place in their hands.

Locally, however, Jill is more widelyknown as the head of Fed By Foley, a micro-catering company specialized in Charcuterie and charcuterie board workshops. “I love snacking if you couldn’t guess,” Jill laughed. “Preparing all day to entertain people is one of my favorite things, but I know it sounds like a nightmare to others. I’ve always loved making food and hosting, and Fed by Foley, allows me to do that for others.”

Jill’s road to turning this passion into a business is one of happenstance and opportunity. “The truth is that this business kind of fell into my lap,” she remembered. The story goes, a friend needed help throwing a party so Jill volunteered to handle all the food. At that gathering someone asked her if she’d opened a catering business and she said no, that this was just a one-time favor for her friend. But soon, friends and family all started asking her to do their parties and eventually this led her to developing a business model from those experiences.

“A lot of people are getting back to gathering these days,” Jill added, “and want to spend time reconnecting rather than preparing. People are so busy that I see what I do as really helpful to a lot of folks.” It’s for that same reason that Jill sees charcuterie as being the perfect alternative to traditional sit down dinner parties “because it’s a lot more flexible and people can stop by for as long as they can without feeling pressured to stay longer than they are able to.”

Having a business so focused on a specialty dish like charcuterie is a testament to Jill’s love for the cuisine and the versatility it offers as a culinary medium. “I have friends who have strong allergies or dietary restrictions and what I love about charcuterie, and crudités, and mezze platters is that there’s variety for everyone.” Whether you’re famished or watching your weight, charcuterie-style catering offers options for everyone and this is exactly why Jill loves working in this style.

Even though starting a business hasn’t been easy, Jill has never forgotten the importance of working both with and for the community. Jill received her permitting for food preparation on a Monday and that same week she organized a fundraiser called Charcuterie for Community.

“The businesswoman in me questioned this decision. I’d already spent so much money just to get the business established, but I really couldn’t do it any other way.” Jill’s charitable spirit compelled her to begin using her business to benefit the community the moment she’d established it.

That particular fundraiser benefitted Safe Passage in Northampton by offering mini-boards that were good for 1-2 people for dinner. Jill has continued doing these fundraisers, benefiting different non-profits throughout the community. She’s added MANNA community kitchen and the Hatfield Elementary PTO to her list of beneficiaries and her next Charcuterie for Community is scheduled for July 10th benefiting the Western Mass Food Bank. She said, “I’m excited for this program to be a part of my business. Giving back is one of the most important things to me, these donations aren’t sizable endowments but a reminder that every little bit helps.”

Wrapping up, Jill wanted to make sure that it was known how much she values the support she’s received in getting her business off the ground. Since her days on the swim team, she’s always understood the value of teamwork and the lesson that you can’t do everything alone. “Without people like Chrissy and Jim Cassagrande at the Northampton Country Club, Fed by Foley would be kitchenless,” Jill joked, “which for a catering company would be a pretty worse case scenario.”

“Currently, Fed by Foley is a one-woman show, but I have an amazing support system of family and friends who’ve been with me at every turn.” That family includes her parents, both Northampton natives who’ve been involved in the court system for years, and her brother, Kevin.

Having grown up together 4 years apart, Jill has always looked up to him and mutually supported each other. His sons are two of her favorite people, though they don’t always make the best taste testers. “They only like string cheese and detest spicy crackers of any kind,” she laughed.

At the end of the day, Jill realizes that it takes a village to keep a small business afloat, which is why she’s so thankful to have the support of her community and family. “While I can say Fed by Foley is my dream, I also have to acknowledge it’s because of their support that it’s also a reality.”