Intern Spotlight: Kal Weldetsadik and Melannie Gallardo
April 24, 2026
Thank you to Education Interns Kalkidan “Kal” Weldetsadik and Melannie Gallardo, who started working with us in August of 2025 through SFSU College Corps, a paid fellowship program where college students gain job skills while serving their community. Both Melannie and Kal have supported our Education team by leading Foodwise Kids field trips at the farmers market.
In addition to helping kids discover a new love for locally grown fruits and vegetables, Kal guided teens through interactive activities and cooking lessons as a part of Foodwise Teens, and Melannie sampled recipes and offered helpful advice to shoppers through our Seasonal Spotlight program.
“Melannie has been a welcoming and inclusive intern for our Foodwise Kids,” says Youth Education Manager, Astrid Bonilla. “Since joining Foodwise, she has consistently supported students with Spanish language needs, and helped create a warm, welcoming, and fun classroom environment that sparked culinary creativity in our youth. We are very lucky to have Melannie on our Foodwise Kids team!”
Astrid also shared, “Kal is a calm and steady presence during our often busy field trips. She has consistently shown up for our youth programs, dedicating many hours to educating kids and teens about food systems, the importance of farmers markets, and healthy eating habits. We are so happy to have Kal as part of our Foodwise Kids and Teens programs.”
Meet Kal and Melannie.
Where does your interest in food come from?
Kal: My interest in food comes from both my personal experiences and my studies in Public Health. Growing up, food was always a way to connect with others, whether it was sharing meals with family or learning about different cultures through what we eat. That made me more curious about how food brings people together and shapes our daily lives.
As I continued my education, I became more interested in the role nutrition plays in overall health and well-being. That interest grew even more through my work with kids and teens, where I’ve seen how learning about food can be empowering. Being able to help young people explore healthy eating and build positive relationships with food has made my passion even stronger.
Melannie: As a Hispanic, I didn’t have a really good relationship with food culturally, and for that same reason, I wanted to learn new ways of perceiving food.
What do you do when you aren’t interning for Foodwise?
Kal: When I’m not interning with Foodwise, I spend a lot of my time focusing on school as a Public Health major. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and trying new foods, especially exploring different cultures and flavors.
I also like to take time for myself by going on walks, listening to music, and just relaxing and recharging. Whenever I can, I try to stay connected to my interest in health and nutrition, whether that’s through what I eat or learning new things.
Melannie: I study a lot in order to obtain my bachelor’s degree in Public Health, but I also love nature, so I spend time hiking or driving. Outdoor activities definitely are a “yes” for me.
Why are you choosing to intern with us at this time?
Kal: I chose to intern with Foodwise because it aligns closely with both my academic and personal interests. As a Public Health major, I’m at a point where I want to gain hands-on experience and apply what I’ve been learning in a real-world setting, especially in areas like nutrition and community health.
This opportunity also came at the right time for me to grow professionally and personally. Being able to work directly with kids and teens, support nutrition education, and engage with the community has helped me build important skills while making a meaningful impact. It felt like the perfect way to connect my passion for health with real community work.
Melannie: I was recommended to be part of Foodwise because previous students told me about the amazing experience they had working with kids and food.
What has been most rewarding about your experience with Foodwise?
Kal: The most rewarding part of my experience with Foodwise has been working with kids and teens and seeing their growth over time. It’s been really meaningful to help them learn about nutrition in a way that’s fun and engaging, and to see them become more curious and confident about the food they eat.
I’ve also found it rewarding to be part of a program that makes a real impact in the community. Being able to contribute to something that promotes health, education, and access to fresh food has made this experience feel purposeful and fulfilling.
Melannie: It’s so great and lovely to see kids trying food that they’ve never tried before, and now they like it. Their faces of happiness and surprise make me think more kids need to know about food and how to have a better relationship with it.
What does Foodwise mean to you?
Kal: Foodwise means community, education, and empowerment to me. It represents a space where people can come together to learn about food, nutrition, and health in a way that feels accessible and engaging.
Through my experience, Foodwise has come to mean making a positive impact, especially by helping kids and teens build knowledge and confidence around the food they eat. It’s also about creating connections, not just with food, but with others in the community. Being part of Foodwise has shown me how powerful education and access to healthy food can be in supporting overall well-being.
Melannie: It means a home that has prepared me to be a leader in my community and to appreciate the beauty of businesses that are locally owned. I see Foodwise as an organization that really cares about the future generations.
Any favorite farmers market foods or home meal prep tips you want to share?
Kal: Some of my favorite farmers market foods are fresh fruits, especially seasonal ones, because they’re so flavorful and naturally sweet. I also really enjoy trying different vegetables and finding new ways to incorporate them into meals.
For home meal prep, one tip I like to follow is to keep it simple and plan ahead. Prepping ingredients like cutting fruits and vegetables in advance makes it easier to put meals together during the week. I also like to build balanced meals by including a mix of grains, protein, and fresh produce, which helps me stay consistent and make healthier choices.
Melannie: I really like to say that, with love and salt, everything tastes delicious.
Topics: Volunteers and Interns