My name is Alex Peterson and I’m super pumped to be working as the 2018-2019 AmeriCorps VISTA here at HIP. Food is an issue that I have always been passionate about (eating it, making it, conserving it, sharing it), so it is very cool that I will be able to channel this passion into my work. I grew up in northern Virginia in the suburbs of Fairfax County, where food insecurity is not as noticeable as it is in other parts of the state. Therefore, I didn’t realize how pervasive an issue it is until I left my bubble for college at the University of Virginia (where I studied English and Music), then again for Benin, West Africa, where I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. It was in Benin that the importance of food and nutrition really hit home. Living amongst critically hungry students and families rekindled my passion for food-related services and encouraged me to seek out opportunities in this field. Coming back to the States and seeing how much further we have yet to go in the areas of food security and food justice only strengthened this resolve. So, here I am at HIP!

On a more personal note, I enjoy singing, playing guitar and piano, binge-watching television, kickboxing, and pretty much all outdoor activities. I only recently moved to Seattle, so the rain is something I’ll have to get used to, but other than that I find this city to be extremely friendly and mind-blowingly beautiful. I’m excited to get started and see where this year takes me. As they say in Benin, “On y va!”