Sarah Beck

Hometown: Pittsboro, NC
University: UNC Chapel-Hill (Political Science & Environmental Justice)
Host site: N.C. Cooperative Extension – Lee County

Recently returned from studying abroad in Scotland, UNC Chapel-Hill senior Sarah Beck will be partnering with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Lee County Center to help foster flourishing local food systems in the county. Sarah’s study of Political Science, Environmental Justice, and Spanish are fundamental to her interest in food justice, health equity, and local food systems, and she is excited to get hands-on experience through this internship. Specifically, Sarah is looking forward to learning more about health equity work as she works with the county Local Foods agent to lead the Sanford Agricultural Marketplace (SAM) project.

In between classes and study sessions, you can find her cooking and practicing with her fellow a capella enthusiasts in the Tar Heel Voices.

Hope Ostane-Baucom

Hometown: Miami, FL
University: Mitchell Community College (Agribusiness Tech)
Host site: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council

Miami-raised Hope Ostane-Baucom is passionate about a lot of things; food freedom, pollinators, plants, and agriculture are just the tip of the iceberg. Her enthusiasm led her first to the vice presidency of the Mitchell Community College Agriculture Club – where she majors in Agribusiness Technology – and now to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council (CMFPC). Hope’s desire to explore marketing methods for increasing farmer, community, and environmental outcomes will serve her well as she works with CMFPC to establish a social media presence for local farms and coordinate farmer outreach initiatives.

Despite her busy schedule, Hope still makes time for cultivating her backyard garden and volunteering at local schools and community centers.

Reva Kodre

Hometown: Chantilly, VA
University: UNC Chapel-Hill (Nutrition)
Host site: People for Equity

Virginian-turned-Tar Heel Reva Kodre (she/her) will be joining People for Equity in Durham – a perfect match for her food science and policy passions. A fourth year student studying nutrition at UNC-Chapel Hill, Reva is on a pre-med track and has been bolstering her experience working in an immunology lab and as a part-time Orange County EMT. She anticipates putting this knowledge and experience to work, as well as learning more about food systems and policies. At People for Equity, she will research policies around local food and health equity work, guide the work of the Youth Food Council, and engage in community outreach.

In her free time, Reva loves to read, play tennis, travel, and try new foods. She is particularly looking forward to doing the latter two during her gap year in Spain upon graduation.

Emerald Ifunanya Izuakor

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
University: UNC-Chapel Hill (Nutrition)
Host site: Just Foods Collaborative

Emerald Izuakor (she/her) has been passionate about food and nutrition from a young age, so it’s little wonder that she found herself studying Nutrition – as well as Hispanic Linguistics – at UNC-Chapel Hill. Emerald is particularly interested in the intersection of food, culture, nutrition, medicine, and agriculture, which perfectly suits her talents for food writing and storytelling. She looks forward to furthering these skills during her partnership with Just Foods Collaborative, where she will work to conduct outreach to local farms, chronicle the organization’s mission, and recruit new stakeholders into the collaborative.

When not engaged in her studies, Emerald can be found reading, playing tennis, traveling, and exploring nature (especially when muscadine grapes are in season)!

Minerva Martinez

Hometown: Wilmington, NC
University: UNC-Pembroke (Biology & Spanish)
Host site: A Better Chance, A Better Community

UNC-Pembroke senior Minerva Martinez (she/her) will be uniting with A Better Chance, A Better Community (ABC2) to strengthen community bonds and local food systems in Halifax County. During the school year, she will be balancing her internship with her studies in Biology and Spanish, with which she hopes to launch a career in surgery. Minerva is excited to support ABC2’s youth programs and help create a novel northeast NC food work database, and we’re equally excited to see the results!

In addition to being a NC certified EMT, Minerva is an enthusiastic traveler and animal lover, and frequently dotes on her 3 cats and betta fish.

Sophia Norris

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
University: Western Carolina University (Environmental Science)
Host site: WNC Farm to Table

Originally hailing from Raleigh, Sophia Norris (she/her) now lives in the mountains, where she studies Environmental Science at Western Carolina University. Fortunately, she won’t have to travel far to reach WNC Farm to Table – a local food organization also based in Jackson County.  Sophia is most excited to get a behind-the-scenes perspective of community-based organizations and engage in community outreach efforts – a passion that will help her fit right in at WNC Farm to Table.

When not busy with schoolwork, Sophia is an avid artist, traveler, hiker, and budding acrobat (try to beat her 3-minute headstand record).

Alaina Shields

Hometown: Germantown, MD
University: UNC-Chapel Hill (Environmental Studies, Public Policy, and Food Studies)
Host site: Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute

UNC-Chapel Hill junior Alaina Shields (she/her) may have a lot on her plate, but she’s not afraid to go back from second helpings. In addition to her studies in Public Policy, Environmental Studie, and Food Studies, Alaina will be collaborating with the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute this upcoming academic year, and plans to put her passion for government policy and law to good use as she expands the institute’s capacity to support rural North Carolinians.

While Alaina hopes to continue on this track post-graduation – aiming to either pursue a Master’s degree in Public Administration or attend law school – she doesn’t forget to stop and smell the roses – literally! Alaina is an avid gardener with a special interest in pollinator preservation and apiculture, as well exploring new culinary experiences.

Preina Prashant Surti

Hometown: Cary, NC
University: UNC-Chapel Hill (Nutrition)
Host site: Fertile Ground Food Cooperative

As a Wake County native, it’s particularly fitting that Preina Surti (she/her) will be partnering with the Raleigh-based Fertile Ground Food Cooperative. Preina has deep roots in her southeastern Raleigh community, where she learned about food equity work through local organizations. These experiences led her to her interest in public health, which informed her decision to major in Nutrition at UNC-Chapel Hill. Upon graduating next spring, Preina plans to continue her nutrition education and become a registered dietitian so she can continue to explore nutrition policy and engage with communities through outreach. She enjoys working at the intersection of nutrition education and community advocacy, which makes her the perfect fit for Fertile Ground Food Cooperative’s mission of fostering a food-centered community gathering space.

When not engaged in her studies, Preina volunteers with the Carolina Hunger Initiative, runs, and bakes increasingly ambitious desserts.

Pallavi Patil | Bachelors | Applied Nutrition & Political Science | NC State University

Pallavi Patil (they/them) is excited to work with the NC Network of Farmers Markets (NCFMN) this academic year. A sophomore at NC State University, Pallavi is deeply engaged in their community, serving as both a Parks Scholar and Student Government senator; they are passionate about social justice and its intersection with food and nutrition policy. In their free time, Pallavi hones their vegetarian cooking skills, crafts jewelry, and paints.

Pallavi hopes to learn about significant food policies throughout their time with the Network of Farmers Markets, especially in regards to how these policies can be altered to better serve underrepresented and food insecure communities. They are eager to expand their knowledge of all aspects of farmers markets, from operation to funding and management.

Dakota Davis | Associates | Agribusiness Technology & Business Administration | Isothermal Community College

As a native of Shelby, NC in Cleveland County, it seems natural for Dakota Davis (she/her) to partner with the Rutherford County Food Network just one county over. A student of Agribusiness Technology & Business Administration at Isothermal Community College, Dakota is already bolstering her food system experience by working with a small local dairy in Cleveland County where she milks cows, feeds calves, and manages the garden produce. She also combines her love of art and crafting by making goat milk soap in her spare time.

Dakota is especially eager to explore how food councils work in action, making her a perfect fit for the relatively young Rutherford County Food Network. Dakota’s work will include conducting data analysis from focus groups and surveys, assisting with food system projects and work group development, planning and outreach f

Ami Mejia | Bachelors | Analytics | Guilford College

Ami Mejia (she/they) is anticipating putting their studies in Analytics at Guilford College to good use when they partner with Island CultureZ in Winston-Salem this academic year. Growing up in Durham and Orange County in a working-class Mexican family has taught Ami to revel in their culture – they enjoy crafting blue corn tortillas, cumbia and salsa dancing, and making salsa from scratch. Ami is most excited to encourage and cultivate intergenerational relationships, particularly in first and second generation Latinx families; while challenging, for them this work is rewarding and healing.

Ami’s study in Analytics is just what Island CultureZ, a community-driven development hub in the historically underserved neighborhood of East Winston, needs. Alongside the Island CultureZ team, Ami will help to develop a donor program, aid the Grassroots Growers Co-op, update urban agriculture ordinances, consolidate funds, and engage in grant writing.

Lindsey La Sasso | Bachelors | Human Services Studies | Elon University

Although born in Raleigh, NC Lindsey La Sasso (she/her) has traveled far and wide throughout the state, and she’s ready to make her next destination Davidson County, where she will partner with the Davidson County Local Food Network. When not engaged in her academic pursuits at Elon University, Lindsey loves to garden, practice mindfulness, and dote on her cat, Mora.

A senior in Elon’s Human Services Studies program, Lindsey will gain first-hand experience in her field by working with the Davidson County Local Food Network to increase the organization’s social media presence, pilot a food hub project, research relevant food policies and their effects on Davidson County, and coordinate council meetings.

Callia Cox | Masters | Public Health – Nutrition | UNC Chapel-Hill

Callia Cox (she/her) is bringing a wealth of experience to her partnership with the Fort Bragg & Cumberland County Food Policy Council. A second-year Masters student and Registered Dietitian Intern at UNC Chapel-Hill, Callia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition & Food Science from Louisiana State University; afterwards, she served in the AmeriCorps VISTA program in Baton Rouge, LA to spearhead the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative. She is currently part of a Fall 2021 Certificate in Innovation for Public Good cohort at UNC Chapel-Hill’s Innovate Carolina Department. Callia also volunteers with the Carolina Hunger Initiative, where she works to provide nutrition education to families across the state.

Callia’s extensive experience is a perfect match for the recently created Fort Bragg & Cumberland County Food Policy Council. During this internship, Callia will help develop and execute action plans for ad-hoc committees, capture the council’s progress in monthly reports, and engage with local communities as a food policy council representative. Through this work, she hopes to learn strategies that will help her work, learn from new communities, and empower communities with adaptable evidence-based practices.

D’Ante Grovner | Associates | Mechanical Engineering | Southeastern Community College

A budding interest in healthy food and food systems is what brought D’Ante Grovner (he/him) to Men & Women United for Youth & Families (MWUYF) in Bladen and Columbus Counties. Born in the nearby town of Riegelwood, NC, D’Ante currently studies Mechanical Engineering & Mechatronics at Southeastern Community College. However, inspired by his experience with food systems and altruistic nature, he’s looking to switch to Agricultural Engineering upon his transfer to university.

D’Ante is excited to learn about community awareness of and engagement in food health and safety, and MWUYF is the perfect partner to explore that interest with. He will have his own chance to increase community food health and safety awareness as he helps increase MWUYF’s social media capacity, network with farmers and other food councils, practice youth engagement, and represent MWUYF to the community.

Rachael Manasseh | Masters | Public Health – Nutrition | UNC Chapel-Hill

Originally from Fayetteville, NC, Rachael Manasseh (she/her) is returning to her home state to work with NC Sea Grant. Rachael is currently a second-year graduate student studying Nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, and has a particular interest in food access, marketing, and nutrition communication. Rachael also has a variety of interests, including crafting, baking, linguistics, and guitar, and is always eager to apply these skills in her work.

During her time with Sea Grant, Rachael will work to construct digital platforms to facilitate seafood commerce across the state, increase seafood producers’ presence on the Visit NC Farms app, and enable small, rural seafood producers to utilize technologies to expand their commercial reach through direct marketing strategies.

Noah Ashenafi | Bachelors | Public Health – Nutrition | UNC Chapel-Hill

Noah Ashenafi (he/him) is looking forward to learning all he can with Wake County’s Capital Area Food Network (CAFN). Growing up in Alexandria, VA as the son of Ethiopian immigrants, Noah quickly realized his passion for health equity, which led him to the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. He is planning to pursue a Masters of Public Health in Nutrition and Registered Dietician credentials and hopes to offer integrative nutrition care to patients with chronic and nutrition-related diseases. Outside of his studies, Noah enjoys listening to music, and has a talent for curating playlists of new songs and artists.

One of Noah’s primary interests is the state of food insecurity in Wake County, particularly what support programs are available and the struggles low-income Wake County residents face to access quality foods. Noah is sure to find answers to these questions as he works with CAFN to research and support the council’s Living Wage certification program, increase outreach to BIPOC farmers and local food businesses, facilitate communications, and publish articles and reports.