Tosha BakerTosha Baker, a Dorchester resident with over a decade of food and nutrition expertise, is the new Director of the Office of Food Initiatives for the City of Boston, Mayor Martin Walsh’s office announced Monday.

“I am eager to build on the work of this office and passionate about collaborating with partners to maximize access to healthy, fresh foods for all of the people of Boston, and especially for those who need it most,” Baker said in a prepared statement.

Baker earned dual degrees in culinary nutrition and culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University in Providence. Along with being an active member of B.O.N.D of Color (Boston Organization of Dietitians and Nutritionists), she worked as a chef and nutritionist for the Food Project, and served in the FANtastic Kids program of Boston Medical Center, an after-school fitness and nutrition program.

Most recently, Baker worked for eight years as a nutritionist and lactation consultant for Women, Infants, and Children. The organization supplies federal grants to states for mothers’ and children’s care needs; Baker provided nutritional counseling to support Boston’s low income families.

“Tosha brings incredible purpose to this position, and is devoted to ensuring that Boston is food secure,” said Walsh. “Her years of experience working to improve the health of our city with proper nutrition, increasing food access, and reducing hunger make her an invaluable leader.”