Why did you decide to join City Fruit?
So many reasons! I’ve been a City Fruit fan for many years now. I’ve been lucky to volunteer on projects, donate some cakes I baked, and be a community partner during the planting of the High Point Orchard. Fruit has always been more than just food to me. My dad is a Japanese immigrant, and verbally saying “I love you” was not a regular occurrence but I felt his love in other ways. After dinner he would cut fruit for us, sometimes in special designs to demonstrate his care for us, so fruit has always been very special to me.
What inspired you to work in the nonprofit sector with food systems?
I’ve worked for several other nonprofits that served folks who are experiencing poverty, BIPOC, immigrants, refugees; folks who don’t always have the security of knowing where their next meal is coming from. I’ve always worked on the education and social services side of nonprofits. I am interested in moving into a role that would allow me to understand more deeply the role of food in this picture. Ostensibly, City Fruit distributes fruit to the same folks that were served at my past organizations (REWA, Neighborhood House). Working at City Fruit allows me to serve these folks from a different angle, especially given how food security is a growing need.
What is your favorite fruit?
My favorite fruits are blueberries and nectarines! We got some blueberry bushes 6 years ago from a local buy-nothing group. From there, I fell in love with growing and harvesting blueberries! It brings me lots of joy to pick blueberries right off the bush and stuff my face with them! As for nectarines, I just love them!
What book are you reading right now?
I just finished listening to Let Us Descend by Jesmyne Ward. If you would like to be broken emotionally, but in a beautiful way, I definitely recommend it!
What occupies your time outside of work?
I love being outside, baking cakes for my friends and family, and building community!