Major: Environmental Analysis
Profession: Hunter-gatherer, , San Francisco
Hometown: Chicago
What are you doing now?
I'm currently the hunter-gatherer at Smitten Ice Cream. This means I source all the ingredients for Smitten's six (soon to be 10!) ice cream shops. I get to meet with happy cows and amazing chocolatiers!
How did you get there?
I've always been really passionate about sustainable food systems. During my time at 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú, I carefully studied the food the dining hall was purchasing to determine if it was local, organic and humanely-raised for my environmental analysis senior thesis. I worked at 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú for several years after graduating to bring sustainability to the dining halls. Eventually I wanted to make my way to the Bay Area and Smitten was looking for someone to take on their procurement.
How did 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú prepare you?
My work at 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú taught me about sustainable food systems and gave me the knowledge and on-the-ground experience to bring about change in the dining halls and now at Smitten.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would love to work with all sorts of companies (big, small, new, established) to help improve the sustainability of their food products.
Any advice for prospective or current students?
A lot of people tell you to find your passion, but it's also really important to work hard. I realized at 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú that I really care about being able to eat good food, but it's because I worked hard to learn everything I could about the food 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú was purchasing that they offered me a position to bring sustainability to the dining halls.