Meet Jinju— our Rockstar (HOO) Hands On Owner!
Jinju has been staffing our info booth at market since May, so we wanted to ask her some questions:
Name and Pronouns: Jinju Kim, she/her
What made you decide to become a HOO?
I am a PhD student from Korea who came here to study community-based food systems. I became fascinated to learn about People’s collective management and support of community and social justice issues. I wanted to see how people put that into practice in the form of a grocery store.
In 2020, under the Covid-19 pandemic, it became very difficult to connect with community in person. I went to the farmers’ market anyway, because I wanted to keep learning and talk to people about food and my research. When the HOO position became open, I took the opportunity!
What do you like about the People’s Farmers’ Market?
Particularly, I like being outside in all the seasons, where I can see and feel the seasonal changes. Yes, it’s sometimes very hot or very cold— but this keeps me in touch not only with the vendors, shoppers, community and staff, but also with nature. It’s a different kind of energy!
What skills do you bring the community here?
I am a researcher and an anthropologist and I bring my research in building relationships— it all starts from there. In Korea, I volunteered with several NGO’s and did community-building, bringing in different perspectives. Especially on food systems— in the US and in Korea.
What’s next for you?
Immediately, what’s next is to serve as a board member of People’s— at least temporarily before I return to Korea. I’m very excited to participate with the community on this different level.Later, I will go back to Korea and bring all my experience and knowledge of food systems, what I have learned here, to academia and my community in Korea.
Anything else you would like to add?
I want to say I feel grateful to the people at People’s who supported me and my research, and who allowed me to participate as part of the community.
We are SOOOO grateful that Jinju chose to be part of the People’s community, and we appreciate all her hard work in the weather to help staff the Farmers’ Market as a HOO. Thank you, Jinju!
If you are interested in being part of People’s community as a Hands On Owner at the Farmers’ Market, we’d love to talk to you! Here’s more information on the HOO program, and reach out to the Farmers’ Market coordinator with questions.
