Volunteer of the Month: Stephanie Tan
June 18, 2026
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.
Thank you to Stephanie Tan, who has brought her passion for local food and strong work ethic to Foodwise by volunteering in a variety of roles since February 2025. She’s been a steady supporter of our Saturday cooking demos, our fundraising events like Summer Bash and Sunday Supper, and most recently, our 6th annual Juneteenth on the Waterfront.
“Stephanie has been such a reliable and positive presence in the market whenever she is able to volunteer with us,” says Director of Education Tiffany Chung. “We are so grateful and appreciative of both her ability to quickly assess what tasks need to be accomplished and do them with a very capable and can-do attitude, as well as the pastries she provides to the team. Whenever she is around, it makes everything so much easier and enjoyable! Thank you so much to Stephanie!”
Meet Stephanie.
Where does your interest in food come from?
I grew up in a Chinese household where love and care were often expressed through cooking and feeding others. The meals I grew up with were simple, but I was expected to help out as soon as I was tall enough to wash rice and push the button on the rice cooker. When I arrived at Cal for college, my food world exploded. New friends introduced me to cuisines, ingredients, and dining experiences I had never encountered before. Ever since, I’ve been on a continual journey of exploration and discovery, and I’m still regularly amazed by how much there is to learn through food.
What do you do when you aren’t volunteering for Foodwise?
In practical terms, I probably spend more time working than I’d like. Corporate life has a way of doing that. But when I’m away from my desk, I love being outdoors, especially hiking and birding. I also enjoy traveling, usually with food as a central part of the experience. So far I’ve visited 40 countries across 6 continents, and many of my favorite travel memories revolve around meals and exploring local markets. When I’m not outside or on the road, you’ll usually find me with a good book.
Why are you choosing to volunteer with us at this time?
After the long years of COVID, I felt somewhat unmoored and wanted to reconnect with my community in a meaningful way. I’d previously volunteered with food banks and have long been interested in food security, but discovering Foodwise felt like a perfect intersection of my interests. When I happened to see a Foodwise Volunteer Orientation on Eventbrite, I had an immediate realization: “I’m a huge fan of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. I come here all the time. There’s an organization behind it, and I can volunteer with them? How did I not know this?!” I attended orientation in January 2025 and stayed for the volunteer potluck afterward, where volunteers showcased food they had cooked and passionately talked about meals they’d had. I felt like I had found my people.
What has been most rewarding about your experience with Foodwise?
The people. I’ve met farmers, vendors, Foodwise staff, fellow volunteers, chefs, and cookbook authors who all care deeply about food, community, and making fresh seasonal food more accessible. It’s nice to see familiar faces week to week at the market. I’ve also made friends with fellow volunteers along the way and go on food adventures with them outside of Foodwise.
What does Foodwise mean to you?
To me, Foodwise represents the best of what food can do to connect people. Where it’s not just buying groceries at a market, but supporting local farmers, learning where the food comes from and who is bringing that food to you, spotlighting the local bounty of California and all the seasonal food we have access to, providing food education to young people, making healthy food more accessible, and building meaningful connections within the community.
I’m reminded that food is about so much more than what’s on our plates. I’m grateful to contribute, even in a small way, to an organization that’s creating these connections every day.
Any favorite farmers market foods or home meal prep tips you want to share?
Explore and buy what’s in season and try something new! Volunteering has given me an excuse to spend more time at the market than I used to, and it’s been amazing to see how the market changes month to month. I look forward to the rhythms of the seasons, from the citrus of winter, to blink-and-you’ll-miss-it mulberry season in spring, to the first stone fruit of summer and peak tomato season. It’s a joy to discover something new or welcome back a tried-and-true seasonal favorite that returns each year like an old friend.
Topics: Volunteers and Interns