Intern Spotlight: Irene Calederon, Kenya Arias Zarate, Keylin Garcia Barrera, and Melissabeth Jimenez
May 30, 2025
Foodwise relies on volunteers and interns to help with education programs, and other activities that help fulfill our mission to grow thriving communities through the power and joy of local food. Learn more about internships here and volunteer opportunities here.
Irene Calederon, Kenya Arias Zarate, Keylin Garcia Barrera, and Melissabeth “Meli” Jimenez joined Foodwise in August 2024 through SFSU College Corps, a paid fellowship program where college students gain job skills while serving their community. Over the last nine months, they have been invaluable team members supporting our Foodwise Kids and Foodwise Teens youth programs, in addition to our farmers markets and fundraising events.
Education Coordinator Erica Tate says, “A returning intern, Irene has been a reliable and dedicated asset across both Foodwise Kids and Foodwise Teens. Kenya brought a dynamic, upbeat attitude and excelled in facilitating the dessert portion for all of our teens’ cooking sessions. Meli shines as a team player and brought great energy when leading the beverage portion of our Saturday cooking days with the teens. Keylin’s eagerness and positive spirit made her a valuable contributor to both of our youth programs.” Meet Irene, Kenya, Keylin, and Meli.
Foodwise: Where does your food interest come from?
Irene: My interest for foods comes from how it unites people. It unites those from different cultures, and brings people together in so many ways. I love exploring cultural foods and where they originated.
Kenya: I’ve loved cooking since I was a kid and always liked to bake. Specifically, learning new recipes and trying to master them has always been super fun for me growing up. Having access to YouTube really did inspire a lot of the things I wanted to make because it was like having the biggest cookbook at my fingertips.
Keylin: My interest in food comes from the meals my mom and uncle would cook when I was growing up. Even though my family worked a lot, they made the effort to cook homemade meals whenever they could. Some of my favorite memories are from weekends when we’d go to the swap meet together. We’d buy fresh fruits and vegetables from the stands there, that’s actually where I discovered my favorite fruit, the prickly pear. Those moments showed me how meaningful and joyful food can be, especially when it’s shared with people you love.
Meli: My interest in food comes from a young age, growing up in a home where food meant everything. Even when we didn’t have much, meals were a way we came together. Food was how we showed love and looked out for each other. That stayed with me. It made me see food as something that holds meaning, not just something we eat.
Foodwise: What do you do when you aren’t interning for Foodwise?
Irene: When I wasn’t interning for Foodwise I was studying. I love expanding my learning one way or another!
Kenya: I am currently a full-time student at San Francisco State University. I am in my second year going to my third but will be a senior graduating with the class of 2026. I am majoring in both international relations and sociology. I also volunteer with another nonprofit organization called Cakes4kids, in which volunteers help out by baking sweet treats for celebrations and like birthdays, or graduation parties where families cannot afford to provide them.
Keylin: When I’m not interning at Foodwise, I enjoy hiking, watching movies (honestly, I’ll watch pretty much any movie), and staying connected to my siblings. Since I’m away from home for school, I really miss them, so I make sure to call or FaceTime them often. Movie nights are a favorite way for me to relax, and I’ll watch everything from action to documentaries. Spending time outdoors is a way for me to disconnect from social media and reconnect with nature.
Meli: I’m a full-time student at SFSU, so a lot of my time goes into school. I also play piano and take lessons once a week. It’s something I really enjoy. In my free time, I like exploring the city, and spending time with friends and family.
Foodwise: Why did you choose to intern with us at this time?
Irene: I love what Foodwise stands for and it helps me feel a part of a change.
Kenya: I chose to volunteer through the College Corps food insecurity program. Growing up in a single-parent household, we didn’t have luxury items and grew up with hand-me-downs, however, one thing I always did have was food on the table and I never went at night to sleep with an empty stomach. Foodwise education programs are just one of those things you look at as something you wish you had growing up. To have so many kids come into our field trips, hating vegetables and leaving loving something that they never thought they would like is so satisfying. Also on Saturday, cooking with the teens and getting feedback at the end of the day that they can’t wait to try the food that we made at home and cook for their families is so rewarding. Forming connections with the kids and being able to answer their questions and provide a safe space for them to come to me was something I never imagined myself capable of.
Keylin: I chose to intern with Foodwise to feel more connected to the San Francisco community. This is my second year living in the city for school, and during my first year, I didn’t feel like I truly connected with or gave back to the community around me. Joining College Corps and interning with Foodwise felt like the perfect opportunity to change that—to build meaningful relationships, learn from the people here, and give back in a hands-on way to my new community.
Meli: As part of my College Corps fellowship, I had to choose a site to serve the community and Foodwise stood out to me. It felt like the right fit, I wanted to be part of something meaningful, where I could learn, contribute, and be connected to work that reflects both my values and personal experience.
Foodwise: What has been most rewarding about your experience with Foodwise?
Irene: The most rewarding thing about my experience has been the connections, new friendships, and job skills.
Kenya: One of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had while working at Foodwise is developing a new program event for the teens. We organized a MasterChef competition, dividing the kids into two teams and having them work collaboratively to prepare a meal from scratch. It was incredibly rewarding because we had never allowed the teens to visit the market independently. However, seeing them return with stories about their interactions with the farmers and the items they discovered was truly heartwarming. It was evident that they were actively learning from our efforts. Additionally, receiving feedback from them expressing their enjoyment of the event made it even more special. They expressed their desire to participate in similar activities in the future, which made this particular day truly memorable. It all began with a single idea, and the Foodwise education team’s unwavering support and encouragement made it a truly rewarding experience.
Keylin: The most rewarding part of interning with Foodwise has been working directly with the next generation and teaching them about food sustainability, food justice, and healthy food choices. It’s been especially meaningful to help expose them to what a farmers market is and show them where our food really comes from. Watching them learn and get excited about food has made this experience truly fulfilling.
Meli: The most rewarding part of my experience with Foodwise has been how much I’ve learned not just about food systems, but about the deeper meaning behind food. I’ve come to understand how food connects us to our cultures, our families, and our stories. I started thinking more about how food is tied to justice, equity, and healing. It’s not just about eating—it’s about where our food comes from, who grows it, and who has access to it. Being part of a space that centers those conversations has meant a lot to me.
Foodwise: What does Foodwise mean to you?
Irene: Foodwise to me means change and community.
Kenya: Foodwise to me means community and it means giving back. I have never met more humble and kind people than I have at the Foodwise team. Their ability to connect with the community of farmers as well as the community shoppers is something I have never seen before, and everyone on the team works so efficiently and, more importantly, they really love their jobs. And you can feel that.
Keylin: Foodwise means community, connection, and growth. To me, it represents a space where people come together to learn about food, sustainability, and justice. It’s a place where I’ve been able to grow personally and gain new skills. One of the things I really value about Foodwise is the people. Everyone, from the staff to the volunteers and interns is kind, welcoming, and passionate about the work. There’s a real sense of community, and being part of such a supportive and positive environment makes the experience even more meaningful to me.
Meli: To me, Foodwise means purpose, connection, and community. It’s a place where I’ve been able to grow, learn, and see how food can bring people together in powerful ways.
Foodwise: Any favorite farmers market foods or home meal prep tips you want to share?
Irene: I recommend the Mangosay stand. Sierra is lovely and the smoothies are amazing!
Kenya: My personal favorite food at the farmers market was the Nepali momo dumplings from Bini’s. I first visited the shop during my first week as an intern, and I’ve been back ever since. I had never tried Nepali food before working at Foodwise, so I was instantly hooked. I went so often that some of the workers even remembered my name. Another favorite of mine was Proyecto Diaz Coffee. I would go every morning before the kids’ program to grab a hot chocolate or a vanilla iced coffee. It was my little ritual that always brightened up my day.
Keylin: One of my favorite farmers market foods is the habanero hummus from Hummus Heaven. It’s very spicy, but so delicious, it was my favorite sample to grab in the morning before our Foodwise Kids class. Starting the day with a spicy bite became a little tradition for me. It’s sooo yummy!
Meli: I really like the peaches from Twin Girls Farm and the strawberries from Yerena Farms. For meal prep, I suggest checking what you already have before shopping and prepping ahead if you know you’ll be busy. When I had morning classes, I’d make overnight oats the night before so I wouldn’t skip breakfast. Small things like that can really make a difference.
Topics: Foodwise Kids, Foodwise Teens, Programs, Volunteers and Interns