Frida Romero

Frida (she/her) is a Senior studying Business Management and Economics at the University of California Merced.

She is from Hermosillo, Sonora, the music capital in Mexico. She grew up witnessing the magic of farming around her grandparents and witnessed the realities of farm labor from her parents. She intends to apply her business knowledge to promote financial literacy within BIPOC communities and advocate for food sovereignty! She loves all kinds of caffeine, going to the movies, and listening to music. "Leave the world better than you found it.”

Gianna Gazulla

Giana (she/her) is a Junior studying Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of California Davis.

She first became immersed in agriculture and food systems when she began volunteering at an urban farm in San Francisco. Since then, she has developed a strong passion about food and the ways in which it intersects with people and the environment. She also loves cooking, creating art, traveling, reading, swimming, and being in nature. RFC's mission is inspiring to her in the ways we demand a more integrated food system: “a space where peoples’ livelihoods are recognized and valued and where local economies may be supported and enlivened.”

Danielle Hurtt

Danielle (she/her) is a Senior studying Environmental Policy at Loyola University Chicago.

She grew up with a strong appreciation for the ways food brings people and communities together, shaping her passion for creating a more just and sustainable food system. As an Environmental Policy student, she is especially interested in the connection between environmental sustainability, food access, and the communities most impacted by inequities in our current food system. She’s inspired by Real Food Challenge’s mission because “it shows that students can use their voices and collective power to create meaningful change in where our food comes from and who benefits from the food system.” She hopes to contribute to a future where everyone has access to healthy, culturally-meaningful food and local, historically-underserved producers are given the support they deserve.

Gracieana Calabrese

Gracieana (she/her) is a Senior studying Sociology, Environmental Studies, and Economics at UC Santa Cruz.

The intention she sets in her work and personal life stems from a passion for learning. She believes “we are always students, no matter what stage in life we are in.” She grew up on an organic farm in the East Bay, learning from a young age the importance of working with the land that feeds you. Her parents are incredible influences for the work that she does; both are California public educators. Her dad likes to joke, "if there are two things [Gracieana] know(s), it is food and education." She plans to devote her life to food justice.

Kylie Chen

Kylie (she/her) is a Junior studying Journalism and American Studies at Northwestern University.

She is from the Bay Area (South Bay!) and grew up in a home and family where food was central to building relationships with one another and their community. She was introduced to RFC through her experience organizing with food service workers on campus and she “really resonated with [RFC’s] mission to both empower students to take action and make healthy, sustainably- and ethically-produced food accessible.” When she’s not organizing or in class, you can find her baking cupcakes/muffins, puzzling, hiking with family, or (on rare occasion) drawing on a sidewalk with chalk!