Researcher(s)
- Candy Ombiro, Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Leanne Moore, , University of Delaware
Abstract
Many individuals and families in Delaware face food insecurity, which limits their access to fresh, nutritious food. The Delaware Food Bank Community Farm addresses this issue by growing produce for the Healthy Pantry Center, the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box program, and other community projects. This internship allowed me to contribute to the farm’s daily operations while learning firsthand how sustainable agriculture and community collaborations improve food security and public health.
From May 26 to August 4, 2026, I participated in a ten-week Community Farm Internship, working approximately 20 hours each week alongside farm staff and volunteers. My responsibilities included planting, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, washing, sorting, packing, and distributing produce. I also assisted in preparing CSA boxes for weekly pickups, maintaining the farm and the surrounding workspaces, and collaborating with volunteers, including community members and medical residents, on daily farm and distribution activities.
This experience strengthened my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities while also providing me with a better understanding of the connections between agriculture, nutrition, and community health. Watching nonprofits, volunteers, and healthcare workers collaborate showed me how much coordinated effort goes into making healthy food accessible.
This internship highlighted the critical role that community farms play in reducing food insecurity and developing connections between communities. The experience fueled my passion in community health and service while also providing essential professional skills that I will apply to future academic and career opportunities. Moving forward, I plan to apply these experiences to future projects aimed at enhancing community well-being.