Meet Nourish Intern Caroline!

“I am so excited to be spending time with Nourish as part of my dietetic internship. I graduated from Acadia University last spring with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics and am enjoying exploring the many different career options available in the nutrition world. I am from a small town near the Alberta/Saskatchewan border, where my family have worked as grain and beef producers. I am very grateful for the unique perspective that growing up surrounded by agriculture has given me.”

What drew you to get involved with Nourish?

I remember attending a presentation by Nourish in my first year at Acadia and have followed their work ever since. It seemed like a full circle moment when I found out I would be placed here for my internship, during Nutrition Month no less! I think the work Nourish does is so valuable, and it’s clearly making a real difference towards improving food access in schools and communities.

I am super passionate about advocating for farmers and other food producers, and I think connecting youth with all the work they do is a key step in this. I have too often seen farmers and producers be side-lined in conversations around the sustainability of our food systems when they should really be who we look to for guidance and insight. Strengthening the relationships between food producers and the public is one of my ultimate goals as a nutrition professional, and working with Nourish provides great opportunity for that.

What is your favourite vegetable and why?

I love tomatoes. I know they are technically fruits, but I’m sticking with that answer. I think they are so yummy and so versatile. Anyone who says they don’t like tomatoes have clearly never had one fresh from the garden on a toasted BLT, because there is truly nothing better.

How do you think youth are helping to influence food systems?

I think youth have an inherent desire to help those around them. No child wants to see their friend and classmate go without nourishing food at school. Youth are always willing to help when given the support and tools to do so. I think centering youth in conversations around food access and school food programs helps us bring the focus back to what really matters. Their voices are so important, and I’m glad Nourish is choosing to celebrate the contributions of youth this Nutrition Month.

BONUS: Recipe to share

I’m sharing my recipe for Zucchini Pancakes. This was a childhood favourite of mine and something I still make when I need a taste of home. These can be enjoyed all-year, but I think ideal time of year to make them is late summer, when the gardens are still plentiful, but you are starting to crave some fall flavours.

I encourage youth to share their favourite recipes, as well as how they think youth are contributing to our food systems.

Happy Nutrition Month!

Zucchini Pancakes

2 cups grated zucchini

½ tsp baking powder

2 eggs beaten

½ tsp salt

½ cup chopped onion

½ tsp ground savoury

½ cup flour

coking oil (enough to coat bottom of pan)

Drain zucchini in strainer, pressing out as much liquid as possible, then combine with eggs and onion.

Mix remaining ingredients, except for oil, in separate bowl.

Stir dry ingredients into zucchini mixture then drop by spoonful onto pan with hot oil and fry until lightly brown.

Makes approximately 8 pancakes.