Mercy Chado

Flower City Pickers

I volunteered with Flower City Pickers, a non-profit food recovery organization at the Rochester Public Market. We tackled the issue of food waste by recovering and sorting imperfectly shaped but edible produce often rejected by consumers. Our team distributed high-quality recovered food to local shelters, while remaining produce went to farmers for animal feed or was composted. This experience highlighted the scale of food waste in our supply chain and demonstrated how local initiatives can simultaneously address hunger and environmental concerns in our community.

SEAL Project Committee Chair

I had the opportunity to lead several engaging environmental initiatives on campus. SEAL, an active student group, focuses on promoting sustainability and environmental awareness. I spearheaded projects like RIT Thrift Collections, which encouraged sustainable shopping among students, and organized the production of upcycled merchandise using old T-shirts and eco-friendly screen-printing dyes. One of our most impactful activities was organizing campus clean-ups, where we brought students together to maintain a cleaner, greener campus environment. Through partnerships with other campus groups and local organizations, we extended our reach into the broader Rochester community. These experiences not only allowed me to contribute to causes I care about but also taught me valuable lessons in project management and community engagement, all while fostering a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship among my friends.