Volunteer of the Month: Roger Hintson
November 12, 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.
Roger Hintson began volunteering with Foodwise in 2013, and since then, he’s done it all, from joining us in the kitchen at free cooking demos to lending a hand at our Foodwise Sunday Supper fundraising gala. Featured as a Volunteer of the Month in 2016, Roger recently began volunteering again after a hiatus. He has been a warm, friendly, and dedicated supporter of Foodwise’s education programs, providing food prep support for our free public cooking demos and helping elementary school children explore the farmers market through our Foodwise Kids program.
“Roger has been a longtime supporter of Foodwise Kids and recently rejoined our program, bringing his enthusiasm and energy back to the market. He has a gift for leading students through tours of the farmers market, making each experience fun, engaging, and full of learning,” shares Astrid Bonilla, Foodwise’s Youth Education Manager.
For Roger, volunteering has also made cooking at home easier. “Volunteering with Foodwise Kids and at the cooking demos motivated me to attend culinary school at City College to learn how to cook better and make healthier food for myself and others. Now I save money by not eating out as much.” Meet Roger.
Where does your interest in food come from?
I love to cook and eat. I want to be healthy and independent from pharmaceuticals as I age. I also volunteer at a community farm, food pantry, and soup kitchen.
What do you do when you aren’t volunteering for Foodwise?
I do triathlons, teach teens in San Francisco how to surf with City Surf Project, and volunteer at the Haight Ashbury Food Program, Saint Anthony’s, Wat Mongkolratanaram in Berkeley, and Martin de Porres.
Why are you choosing to volunteer with us at this time?
I respect and want to support Foodwise’s mission. I enjoyed teaching the kids about the market and healthy food, and I enjoy helping adults discover the market and learn how to cook healthy food from local farmers.
What has been most rewarding about your experience with Foodwise?
I enjoy working with Foodwise Kids because I like to teach kids about the farmers market and seasonal fruits and veggies. I enjoy taking them to meet the farmers. I hope it will help influence the kids to eat healthier and visit a local farmers market.
I enjoy the cooking demos because I always learn something new about cooking and recipes from the chefs and authors. Learning from the demos made me a much better cook at home. I started using olive oil, replacing sugar with honey, and seasoning my meals better after volunteering for the demos. My health and happiness are much better today as a result of volunteering with Foodwise. It’s really made a positive impact on my life.
What does Foodwise mean to you?
It means good food, health, and longevity. It means supporting local farmers and all their hard work. It means helping others.
Any favorite farmers market foods or home meal prep tips you want to share?
I love all the prepared foods. I love the mushrooms and fresh breads. Tomato season is my favorite. I love pomegranates, blueberries, and strawberries. I enjoy fresh peas, Brussels sprouts, and artichokes.
Any other thoughts?
I had the best risotto of my life this summer while volunteering at a cooking demo. It was the Carnaroli Risotto with Spring Greens from Tony Florian at Seven Hills.
Topics: Volunteers and Interns