Community Fellows Blog Posts

Reflecting on my first few months working as a Research and Policy Intern, I have learned that Veggielution is more than just a farm; it is a space for community members to flourish and benefit from each other. I am in awe of the team not only in their compassion but their dedication to support the local community of East San Jose. 

In the weeks prior to the special election, one of my main responsibilities was to design flyers highlighting the importance of voting “yes” for Measure A. Many who rely on Veggielution's services include low income residents who are Medi-Cal dependent. I conducted research on how Measure A would generate funding to offset about ⅓ of the federal funding cuts to healthcare in the Bay Area. My research became beneficial to educate not only myself but my friends, family, and local community about the need to vote “yes”. Another responsibility of mine has been working at the farmstand on Saturdays. I help with organizing the produce and working as a cashier. I value this experience getting the chance to work with other volunteers and interact with a variety of customers. Overall, I have enjoyed this fast paced work environment which allowed me to get directly involved from day one. 

Veggielution has events called “First Saturdays” where the entire community gets together for a day full of events on the first Saturday of each month. My main responsibilities have included setting up tables, speaking with attendees about voting for Measure A, and collecting feedback about the events. These Saturdays involve a day full of educating the local community about relevant policies, hosting events for children in the youth garden, eating delicious food from local entrepreneurs, and so much more. I look forward to these days where the entire farm thrives and I get the opportunity to engage with the entire community. 

Something that surprised me is how accessibility is heavily prioritized. Accessibility at Veggielution involves promoting easier access to organic produce for low income residents but also involves taking into consideration those who do not speak English or who have not pursued higher education. Oftentimes educational materials about policies or plans need to be translated into Spanish and simplified for easier understanding. It has made me become more conscious about ensuring information is more accessible for a larger audience. 

I am grateful for the opportunities to work directly on policy research, seeing firsthand how my work impacts members, and making connections with coursework related to my Economics major. I look forward to the variety of projects I will be working on during the rest of my time at Veggielution, gaining hands-on experience and working to uplift local communities in the Bay Area.

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