Emma Duncan Discusses Her Impactful AmeriCorps Experience at T2T

Table to Table welcomed Emma Duncan to the team in June of 2024 as one of our Summer term Green Iowa AmeriCorps service members. During her service here, Emma helped us rescue 340,267 lbs. of produce, much of which was distributed to our neighbors at our weekly Free Produce Stands, a program she devoted much of her time to developing and expanding. Additionally, Emma served as a core support team member, taking on important daily responsibilities like program coverage, fleet & facility, and assisting with the gleaning program. “These experiences were invaluable for understanding how the entire Table to Table organization operates. I also found contributing to these programs extremely fulfilling personally and helped me feel connected to the Iowa City community,” Emma said of the multi-faceted nature of her role.

With a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development from the University of Iowa, and an undergraduate background in business, marketing, and environmental studies, Emma came to us with an existing interest in sustainable practices and lots of valuable experience that made her a great asset to our team. Coming into her service term, Emma’s goals were to learn more about the local food system, as well as improve her communication and planning skills. “My Table to Table experience exceeded these expectations. I gained confidence in my decision-making skills and developed a sense of agency that really took me by surprise,” Emma commented on the ways in which she grew both personally and professionally.

Upon concluding her service term, Emma took some time to reflect on her experience in food rescue and the ways in which Table to Table helped her achieve these goals:

In my last week of service, another AmeriCorps member and I organized a last-minute adjustment to a route so that we could collect over 700 pounds of watermelon. At the beginning of my term, I would not have felt comfortable making the call on whether I had the capacity to make such a large impromptu rescue, however, my improved decision-making skills helped me feel confident in my decision. I also found my interactions with volunteers, staff, and the community extremely rewarding and important to fine-tuning my communication skills. Additionally, I gained insights into community needs, received career and life advice, and laughed countless times all while contributing to a deeply impactful cause.

Despite serving at Table to Table for less than three months, Emma cites her experiences here as immensely impactful, especially from the perspective of transitioning from higher education to the workforce. “Thank you to the Table to Table staff, volunteers, AmeriCorps members, and partners!” No, thank you, Emma!