Foodwise Teens Cultivate Community Through Summer Jobs in the Farmers Market

August 15, 2024

San Francisco’s students go back to school next week, many with life-changing summer adventures and stories to tell. For participants in our Foodwise Teens program, those formative experiences included giving back to their community through summer jobs at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

The Summer Fellowship is the culmination of our three-part Foodwise Teens paid youth development program, where teens become change agents for a sustainable, equitable, and nourishing food future. Through hands-on experiences in the garden, in the kitchen, and at the farmers market, students learn about food justice, develop important life and job skills, and build community together. 

In partnership with Opportunities for All, 16 teens were placed at jobs in the farmers market this summer. You may have met some of them, assisting customers at the Foodwise Info Booth, leading summer camp field trips for our Foodwise Kids program, and supporting local farmers and food makers in the market. (Thanks to our hosts Acme Bread Company, Eatwell Farm, Green Thumb Organics, Mangosay, McGinnis Ranch, Oya Organics, Root Down Farm, and Tierra Vegetables!)

While building their resumes, students expanded their food knowledge, grew in leadership and confidence, and felt a sense of belonging and empowerment as active participants in their city and their local food system. Five of our Foodwise Teens shared what they’re most proud of and what they’ll carry with them from working in the farmers market. 

Courtney Mar-Lew, Summer Fellow at Mangosay

I’ve been a bit shy for most of my life, but the program allowed me to interact with many regular customers who visited the market every week. I also built connections with Sierra (Mangosay’s owner), other vendors, and other fellows. For most of the program, I worked with Mangosay, a mango treat booth. I learned a lot about customer service etiquette, handling cash, and how to collaborate with the Mangosay team to complete orders. Working as a cashier, with the encouragement and guidance of Sierra, helped me get over my fear of speaking to strangers. I can also make really tasty mango parfaits now!

Working at the farmers market helped me rethink where I buy my food from and who I am giving money to. Now, I want to support more local farms instead of funding large corporations, especially because locally-produced food is more delicious, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and is often more sustainable for the environment. I felt very empowered to participate in the community and food system because I got to meet all kinds of people and learn their stories. 

Max Hidalgo, Summer Fellow at McGinnis Ranch

The thing I feel most proud of is my social and customer service skills, since I had to interact with lots of different people on a regular basis. Something I learned over the course of the fellowship was how to be more welcoming and enthusiastic, since it helped people be more comfortable when asking for help, shopping, etc. My relationship with food has changed a bit. It’s mainly just being less wasteful and only buying what I’ll eat so as to not have extra unwanted food. Participating in the fellowship has helped me feel more empowered to participate in my community. It kind of opened my eyes and helped me see that even though I’m just one person I can still make a difference.

Sophia Kang, Summer Fellow at Foodwise Kids

I got to meet and interact with people outside my usual social circle and had chances to lead [Foodwise Kids] groups. I feel like my leadership skills have grown a lot. During the fellowship, I got way better at food prep and cooking, which was empowering. I loved learning how to make kale chips! At home, I was able to practice the new skills I had picked up. After the fellowship, my relationship with food has really improved. I now understand where it comes from and how it impacts our health. I’ve been making healthier food choices and visiting the farmers market with my mom to get fresh fruits and vegetables. These changes will stick with me for life.

The fellowship has empowered me to engage more actively in my community. It has given me the first step in developing the skills needed to participate in community events, whether food-related or not. I’ve gained confidence and realized I can do things I never had been brave enough to try like leading groups, speaking with people from different backgrounds, and cooking. This experience has helped me grow not just in the internship, but also as a person.

Noelle Kimotsuki, Summer Fellow at Green Thumb Farms

Something I’ve learned a lot more about over the course of the fellowship is how farmers markets operate and the different lifestyles in which people choose to live. Growing up in a city my whole life, I never thought about a different source of food other than a supermarket. However, seeing all the fresh produce and talking to the farmers that I have gotten to work with has shown me that food is something that can be central to life and nourishment, not just a detached requirement for living. I have also learned how to use and identify many new kinds of vegetables I never knew existed. 

I am now motivated to share the knowledge I gained from this internship with friends and family. Going to farmers markets would not only improve their own health/wellbeing, but also strengthen the community as a whole. Having this exposure to farmers markets gives me the confidence and knowledge to feel comfortable going to one on my own time. Also, learning how people have used food as a way of expressing their values and giving back to the community, I am inspired to work for values that I truly believe in as well.

Christy Huang, Summer Fellow at Eatwell Farm

I am most proud to work with new people at Foodwise. Despite being usually hesitant to open up, I managed to get along with everyone and felt warmly welcomed at my stand. Throughout my time at Foodwise, I gained valuable insights into how marketing and selling products work. I learned about the importance of placing popular products on the left, creating an attractive product display, and talking to customers to encourage them to explore the products. While helping and interacting with others, I found myself wanting to contribute more to the community. I love how food can bring people together through shared interests. During my time at this job, I experienced the joy of helping others and discovered similarities in food preferences, which made me feel a strong sense of connection.

Support free food education for San Francisco youth. Help us provide these life-changing experiences and pay stipends for Foodwise Teens to work in the farmers market. Donate now to our Back to School, Back to the Farmers Market campaign.

Topics: Foodwise Teens, Programs, Youth