Our Urban Food Environments projects were lucky enough to receive the support of two impressive interns from High Tech High over the course of the last two months. Alina and Natalie, both sophomores at High Tech High working with teachers Matthew Patrick and Sofia Tannenhaus, came to work with us to learn about food justice in action. Alina and Natalie worked closely under the supervision of our long-term UCSD undergraduate intern, Katia Lopes-Gilbert, to provide technical assistance to small food markets participating in our Live Well Community Market Program. Specifically, Alina and Natalie helped conduct shopper surveys at Bruno’s Market in the Grant Hill neighborhood of Southeastern San Diego in order to help the market owner promote produce purchases to shoppers using CalFresh EBT benefits. Both students’ bilingual skills in Spanish were critical assets to our work in the field that day. Additionally, the students worked with Katia to help place promotional materials and beautification elements in several participating markets in City Heights. Overall, Alina and Natalie said they enjoyed their experience with our Center and are excited to present what they learned to their classmates and teachers. We wish them well and thank them for their time and dedication in serving the community!
