Three Classes Join Forces for Food Justice Field Trip

On March 23, 2026, a group of Hopkins students visited local nonprofits to gain a systemic view of the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to food insecurity. 

The group was made up of students who take Shanti Madison’s Nature Literature, Edwardo Perez’s Introduction to Economics, as well as Becky Harper and Dante Brito’s Introduction to Social Justice classes. Collectively, they visited the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (D.E.S.K.) in New Haven and Haven’s Harvest in Hamden. At each location, students learned about the contribution that community-driven initiatives such as these provide.

“The field trip was part of the penultimate shared experience between the three classes, allowing students to apply or witness ideas and themes from each course in a real-world context, while engaging with organizations striving to address food insecurity in the local community,” said Perez.

At D.E.S.K., the group sorted and prepped food to be served to community beneficiaries later that day. At Haven's Harvest, students witnessed the logistics of food recovery in real time. By rescuing salvageable food that would otherwise be shipped to landfills, the students help redirect the resources to those in need. The groups from Hopkins rescued and donated approximately 500 lbs. of food, delivering it to housing authorities, church food pantries, and food aid facilities. The students also interviewed staff at the drop-off sites, gaining a deeper understanding of how these facilities serve the community.

"The field trip left Social Justice students, Economics students, and Nature Lit students with a great sense of community pride and a better understanding of the social, economic, and environmental gaps in our society that leave many at risk," reflected Madison, adding, “Students returned [to school] gleefully as they heard tales of the hundreds of households who would be able to come pick up groceries that week.”