The Rewards of Community-Based Nutrition Work
Tahlia Haas, Master of Public Health Candidate, Coordinated Program in Nutrition, University of Minnesota
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with Urban Roots as part of my Master of Public Health Coordinated Program in Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. I was excited to work with Urban Roots because their focus on youth, food justice, and community health aligned closely with my interests in pediatric nutrition, prevention, and public health. Throughout the summer, I worked alongside youth interns and staff through nutrition education, cooking, and community-based activities. This experience gave me the opportunity to see how nutrition and public health work can extend beyond traditional education and become something that is shaped by community, culture, and lived experiences.
One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was getting to work directly with the youth interns. I developed and taught a nutrition lesson, helped with Chef Led Lunches, and collaborated with interns to create a menu for a pay-what-you-can meal at the East Side Farmers Market in St. Paul. Through these experiences, I learned how important it is to make nutrition education engaging, approachable, and relevant to the people you are working with. Just as importantly, I learned from the interns and their different experiences with food, culture, and food access. Being surrounded by people who were so open about sharing their cultures also encouraged me to reflect on my own cultural identity. As someone who has sometimes felt disconnected from my Korean heritage, Urban Roots helped me become more comfortable asking questions, being curious, and recognizing that I do not have to know everything about my culture to belong to it. It helped kickstart a desire to learn more about my own identity while also strengthening my appreciation for the role culture plays in food, health, and community.
I am incredibly grateful for my summer at Urban Roots and for how welcoming the staff and interns were in bringing me into their community. I grew in my leadership and communication skills, but I also grew personally in ways I did not necessarily expect going into the internship. Working alongside the youth and community members reinforced how rewarding community-based nutrition work can be and how something as simple as cooking and sharing a meal can create connection. This experience gave me a clearer understanding of the kind of work I hope to do in nutrition and public health and reminded me of the importance of listening to and learning from the communities I serve. I will definitely remember all of the memories and laughter shared throughout the summer, and I hope to return for a visit or help out whenever I can!
