Get Fresh Daily
Title: Rooted in Impact: Cultivating Plant-Based Wellness With Get Fresh Daily
Student Interns:
Autumn Carstensen
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Jenna Patel
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Dalmacio Dennis Flores, PhD, ACRN, FAAN
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Abby Quinn Peterson, DMD, MPH
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Elizabeth Powell, DDS, MPH
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Jiana Murdic, MS
Founder and Director, Get Fresh Daily
Community Site:
Get Fresh Daily is an organization committed to promoting education about wellness and healthy living to individuals of all ages within the Black community. Through its community gardens, educational programs, summer camps, farmers markets, Fresh Takes produce boxes, and community wellness events, the organization introduces individuals to the joys of gardening, the value of nutritious eating, and the healing powers of nature. Through its Black-Owned Farmers Markets, Get Fresh Daily helps support local farms and businesses in distributing fresh produce to the West Philadelphia community. At the heart of this site is Freedom Greens + Gardens, a welcoming and inclusive space where community groups and partners can gather, build relationships, and connect with nature.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns served as camp counselors during Camp Excellence, a wellness-focused day camp for students in first through eighth grades. The interns assisted the counselors and junior counselors, facilitated the arts and crafts and fun and games workshops, and supervised the campers throughout the day. Beyond their work at camp, the interns contributed to the upkeep of Freedom Greens + Gardens by watering the crops, harvesting and preparing produce for the Black Farmers Markets, and managing the Get Fresh Daily table on market days. Additionally, they developed a comprehensive, user-friendly database, compiling seasonal produce lists, nutritional information, and recipes from past Get Fresh Daily newsletters to support easy future access and use.
Reflections
“This summer, I saw how public health can come to life through simple relationships, creativity, and trust. At Get Fresh Daily, I learned that health education works best when it’s hands-on, enjoyable, and understandable. I saw how systemic barriers show up in everyday moments and how small acts, like sharing produce at a local farmers market or teaching a health skill via children’s-toy props, can have a big impact. This experience deepened our commitment to working in community health and meeting people where they are while doing so.”
Autumn Carstensen
“Working at Get Fresh Daily this summer was such a memorable experience. I enjoyed spending time outdoors as a camp counselor and in Freedom Greens + Gardens. I met many wonderful individuals along the way and will cherish our conversations. As a camp counselor, I truly enjoyed bonding with the kids while we played Uno and soccer or drew on the sidewalk with chalk. I had as much fun interacting with the campers as I believe they did with me. Gardening, one of my favorite childhood pastimes, was also rewarding. The Freedom Greens + Gardens is a welcoming, inclusive, and peaceful community space in West Philadelphia. Working in the garden highlighted the lack of access to nutritious food as a result of various social determinants of health. I admire how Get Fresh Daily is committed to its community, aiming to educate, provide wellness, and arrange opportunities for community members to have access to healthy food. I am incredibly grateful for the time I spent at Get Fresh Daily and will remember all of the insights I received from those around me as I move forward in my dental career.”
Jenna Patel