Maria Colli '21
Product Validation Associate @ HelloFresh
The Product Validation Team at HelloFresh operates at the forefront of our customer experience, safeguarding the quality of our food-based products while balancing HelloFresh business needs through the use of unbiased, data-driven assessment and testing. Maria performs in-house recipe testing to optimize customer experience, support the development of new ingredients, conduct a wide range of quality-driven product testing, manage sensory evaluations, and partner with various stakeholders to successfully guide innovative ideas through our product development pipeline.
Bella Fazio '20
Everyone Eats Community Outreach and Distribution Manager @ The Intervale Center
Bella received a BS in Food Systems concentrating in Environmental Studies and Community and International Development, veering her towards programs and organizations like Everyone Eats. She has always been interested in helping other people, creating a more sustainable and just world, and taking care of the Earth. As she grew during her academic career at UVM, she became more specifically interested in food sovereignty, food security and community building and held internships with New Farms for New Americans and Common Roots.
Sophie Johnson '18
Social Media Manager @ EatingWell Media Group
Sophie graduated from UVM with a Bachelor of Science in Food Systems and a concentration in Public Communication. She now manages the social media for EatingWell Media Group, a magazine and website at the forefront of the healthy-eating movement.
Elena Palermo '17
Outreach & Education Coordinator @ City Market Onion River Co-op
As an undergrad, Elena studied food systems and nutrition. Her passion for cooking, specifically cross-culturally, has translated into her current position as outreach and education coordinator at City Market. From college to her current position, much of her time is focused on bringing education of food to the community.
Olivia Peña '17
Food Security Specialist @ Hunger Free Vermont
As a Food Security Specialist, Olivia conducts educational outreach and trainings on 3SquaresVT (known nationally as SNAP) for service providers, advocates, and community organizations throughout Vermont. Her work focuses on supporting low-income Vermonters to enable them to access more and better foods for themselves and their families through 3SquaresVT and other federal nutrition assistance programs. During her undergraduate career, she majored in Food Systems with a concentration in Animal Science. Olivia continued on to receive her Masters of Science in Food Systems at UVM in 2018.
Rusty Sugg '21
Brewer @ Groennfell Meadery
Rusty graduated from the University of Vermont with a double major in Food Systems and Community Entrepreneurship. He completed 6 credits of field experience interning for VT Tortilla Company and Groennfell Meadery. One of these two experiences led to a job offer where Rusty now works as a brewer.
Anastasia Tsekeris '19
Child & Adult Care Food Program Training Coordinator @ VT Agency of Education
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. In her role as Training Coordiantor, Anastasia is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing regional training sessions for CACFP providers around the state.
Kyle Weatherhogg '18
Food & Farm Program Coordinator @ Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
Kyle graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in Food Systems, with a minor in Nutrition and Food Science and Environmental Studies. In 2016, Kyle began working at the VYCC in the Food & Farm Program as an Assistant Crew Leader in consecutive years served as a Field Assistant (2017) and Crew Leader (2018.) She now works with the VYCC as Food and Farm Program Coordinator, which focuses on recruitment to managing crews during the season.