Ivonne Poupard’s love for combining food and customer service began in a small creperie in
Mexico that specialized in salty and sweet crepes. It was a small enterprise that ran out of a garage.Ivonne’s experience with the creperie led to an opportunity eight years later at the University
of LaSalle serving a larger array of foods to a much larger customer base.After fifteen years at the university, Ivonne’s son Jorge, the eldest of her four children, presented her with the opportunity to move
to the United States and fulfill her lifelong dream of living there. In Idaho, she continued in
food service, working first in a deli and then in a restaurant kitchen. Eventually, she followed
her son to Knoxville and was employed by the Vegan Café.

When Ivonne began working at Three Rivers in April of 2018, she was able to make another
checkmark on her wish list. She is excited to celebrate her five-year anniversary with Three
Rivers, where she feels at home within a nourishing and nurturing work environment. She
believes the teamwork that is established by the staff embodies doing the best for the
community and preparing the best food daily. Her energy, kindness and helpfulness are
motivating forces that tie the Deli together.

Ivonne demonstrates her diverse range in the co-op’s Deli, including her favorite dishes to prepare: Kale
Yeah and Five Alarm Butternut Chili. When it comes to her favorites to eat, she chooses the
Blueberry muffins and Sweet Potato and Kale burrito.

Ivonne became an American citizen in the past year and is grateful for the help and support of
her children with that endeavor. Three Rivers feels fortunate to have Ivonne as part of its family
and is glad that her long and colorful route led her to Knoxville to become an important part of
the co-op’s success.