Tasting Community: A Flagler Student's Dive into Local Food Systems

June 6, 2025
By Emma Alley
Join Flagler College’s rising senior Emma Alley as she recounts her recent FlagSHIP experience in Dr. Carrie Grant’s Farm-to-Table course and shares opportunities to get involved locally.


 

My love for farm-to-table living all began the summer I lived in the Italian countryside. It was right after my freshman year of college, and I had taken a leap of faith to work as an au pair for a family just outside Verona. I was there to teach their young son English, but I ended up learning just as much, especially about food and its ability to build community. Every meal we shared was made with ingredients from our own farm: sun-ripened tomatoes, just-laid eggs, and herbs picked fresh that morning. We ate according to the changes in the seasons. 

At least twice a week, we would invite friends over for dinner—a tradition that quickly became one of my favorite parts of life on the farm. These meals were never rushed; they unfolded slowly over several hours and multiple courses of incredible, home-cooked food. There was laughter, storytelling, and a genuine sense of togetherness that filled the air. By the end of the night, everyone felt like family. Those dinners taught me that food isn’t just about nourishment; it’s about community.

Continue Reading Emma’s Recap, view pictures from her FlagSHIP, and discover ways you can get involved in our community