Hi!

My name is Isabella Palermo and I am currently completing my Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Texas Tech University. Going into my final year as an undergraduate student, I wanted to gain some hands-on experience in nutrition education. This decision led me to apply for a summer internship position at the Galveston County Food Bank, turning into the most eye-opening and rewarding experience I have had thus far.

Throughout my time here, I have worked closely with both nutrition educators, Stephanie and Matti in various different environments. I assisted in the setup and teachings of nutrition classes for individuals of all ages, starting from 4 years old to senior citizens. Throughout each class, I was able to start building connections with the participants whether it was answering their questions, encouraging them to try new foods, or engaging with them throughout activities. I found it such a wonderful experience to be a part of their learning process.

I also had the opportunity to learn more about the Healthy Corner Store project, which implements the addition of healthier food options in convenient stores. I visited three of the participating stores and observed the changes being made first hand. Each location contained infographics about healthy eating along with various displays of a variety of healthier food choices such as fruits, vegetables, deli products, whole grains, and low-sodium products. It was really inspiring to see each store and their journey as well as all of the work the Nutrition Department has put into each facility. It was easily seen how much of an impact even the smallest things can make when it comes to offering healthier options to the community.

While being in the office, I had the opportunity to make my creative side flourish. I was able to create and design social media infographics focused on the nutritional value of various different foods. Some of these graphics also offered practical tips to help individuals make healthier choices while shopping at the grocery store. I focused on integrating important information as well as making the flyers visually engaging to effectively capture the attention of readers and communicate key messages to the community. As well as this, I was able to participate in the preparation and the filming aspect of the nutrition recipe videos that are made here at the food bank. I was able to help in the set up of the cooking space, organizing ingredients, and ensuring that the entire process was clearly demonstrated on the camera. Being able to express my creativity in the work space was so fun for me! Together, all of these experiences have helped me deepen my understanding of how creative content is a great way to reach communities far and wide to give nutritious education, the importance of healthy eating options in easily accessible locations, and how nutrition education is critical no matter the age of the participant.

I want to give a huge thank you to both nutrition educators: Stephanie Bell and Matti Storey, nutrition director: Candice Alfaro, and all of the Galveston County Food Bank staff and volunteers for making this such an unforgettable experience. Everyone here has been so welcoming and loving, I am so happy to say that I am walking out of this experience with various different connections and friendships. I applaud the facility for the changes that they are making not only in the Texas City community but the surrounding communities as well. I am so thankful to have had this experience, it was better than I ever could imagine!

Thank you Galveston County Food Bank!

Isabella Palermo