Meet our 2017 Summer Interns: Francesca and Hughie
Francesca Gallo
Class of 2019, Brown University
Where are you from? How do you describe the place you grew up to people who've never been there?
I grew up outside of New York City, Northern Italy, and Eastern Massachusetts, but home on the weekends and school vacations is the Berkshires of Massachusetts. I love to entice people to join me for trips out to the Berkshires, telling them about beautiful walks through the Berkshire hills, summer performances at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Tanglewood, and of course the amazing local eats. An Appalachian through-hiker once wrote that our little town out there was “biblically beautiful."
What are you studying in school and how does it connect to your plans this summer?
I recently transferred to Brown University from New York University, switching from studying Education and Dance to Brown’s Urban Studies Program. I am interested in the intersection of urban planning, community engagement, and sustainability, and engaging with the food communities of Providence and Rhode Island is an ideal way to continue exploring that nexus.
What are you most excited to learn/do/see in this internship?
I am most excited to see more of and meet people from throughout Rhode Island. Rhode Island is unique to me in how deeply connected communities are to their food and farms. But I have also learned more about food access issues in Rhode Island through my coursework this semester. Through this internship, I hope to engage equally the chefs and farmers and entrepreneurs of the Rhode Island food scene, and with those doing good in communities affected by food insecurity.
What's one question you have right now about local food in RI?
Where do I find the best ice cream (I’m a particular fan of coffee-Oreo and ginger)??!
What's your spirit vegetable - and why?
Spaghetti squash…I’m 60% pasta.
Hughie Auchincloss
Class of 2018, Hamilton College
Where are you from? How do you describe the place you grew up to people who've never been there?
I grew up in Chestnut Hill, MA. It's small suburb right outside of Boston. A majority of the town is occupied Boston College, so my neighborhood would get a little hectic for football games. It was really a special place to grow up because while we were just on the outskirts of the city, we still had a beautiful forest preservation a block away to walk the dog and explore.
What are you studying in school and how does it connect to your plans this summer?
I'm a senior at Hamilton College pursuing a degree in Geosciences. This doesn't have much to do with what I am doing this summer, but food has always been one of my passions so I am excited to be working with Edible Rhody. Exploring the food culture in Rhode Island is going to be an awesome experience!
What are you most excited to learn/do/see in this internship?
I'm most excited to learn about the diversity of the food industry in Rhode Island. I have been coming to RI my entire life but I haven't really been able to explore the food scene in depth. I think there is a lot to discover!
What's one question you have right now about local food in RI?
Where are the best oysters grown?
What's your spirit vegetable - and why?
Probably brussel sprouts because I've had them the most.
