Sarah Buckley
Meet Nikki Patino, a passionate alum from the class of 2017, who has made a significant impact as the Market Manager for Orange Home Grown. Nikki graduated with a degree in environmental science and policy from Schmid College of Science and Technology, which has greatly influenced her approach to sustainability and community engagement.
In her role, Nikki’s Saturdays are filled with excitement as she sets up the market, manages vendor layouts and assists customers with their needs. Her dedication to the community is evident in her weekly activities, which include marketing, organizing events and supporting various programs like the Educational Farm and Youth Food Literacy Program.
Nikki’s journey with Orange Home Grown began during her time at Chapman University, where an unexpected internship with Backyard Bees ignited her passion for local food and community. This experience led her to become a vendor at the Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisan Market, eventually transitioning into her current role as market manager. Nikki’s commitment to making a positive impact is driven by her love for the community and her desire to create a healthier, more sustainable world for her young daughter.
As Earth Day approaches, Nikki shares her insights on sustainability, emphasizing the importance of supporting local farmers and adopting eco-friendly practices. She encourages the Chapman community to start small and make sustainable choices that are accessible and maintainable. Nikki’s enthusiasm for her work and her dedication to fostering a thriving community are truly inspiring.
Don’t miss out on Nikki’s full interview, where she delves deeper into her experiences, motivations, and advice for living sustainably. Check out the Q&A to learn more about her incredible journey and how you can get involved with Orange Home Grown!
Q&A with Nikki Patino ’17
What does a typical day look like for you as the Market Manager for Orange Home Grown?
Saturdays are my main event and the day I look forward to each week! I am up early to be on site at 6:45 a.m. to set up, direct traffic and manage the market layout. During the hours that we are open, I check up on vendors to make sure they have the appropriate set ups and permits, see what’s new and in-season, and assist customers with questions and EBT purchases. Then before I know it, it’s time to take payment for vendor fees and clean up for the day. The rest of the week is spent doing everything from completing reports, marketing, organizing community events and assisting with all of the other OHG programs, like the Educational Farm or Youth Food Literacy Program. There’s always something fun going on!
How did your time at Chapman shape your career path and your involvement with Orange Home Grown?
During my semester abroad in Spain, I remember receiving an email about an internship with a local woman who ran Backyard Bees. Something about the photo captured me, and I reached out to her when I got back home, hoping the position was still available. To my surprise, I was welcomed on board and I began learning about bees, bottling honey, and soon enough, we were asked to be a vendor at the Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisan Market. I was already shopping there most weekends, so being a vendor was a dream come true! This unexpected internship turned to full-time employment and true passion for bees, local food and community. I was with Backyard Bees for about 6 years and continued to help other vendors, even while working at a corporate job, until the Market Manager position opened up three months after I had my little girl. It was the perfect fit, allowing me to spend more time with my baby and work with my favorite organization.
What do you enjoy most about your work in the local community of Orange?
Knowing that we are making a positive impact on so many lives by giving the community access to healthy food, supporting small businesses and family farmers, and giving back to local students. I love meeting new people and making connections, so feel free to swing by the info booth at the market and say hi! I am just so proud of the community we have grown over the years!
What keeps you motivated to continue making an impact?
Now that I have a young daughter, I am more motivated than ever to create a community and a world that is kind, just and healthy. She is my joy and my inspiration. Helping our youth is how we can maintain hope and joy in an uncertain world.
With Earth Day coming up, how does Orange Home Grown celebrate and promote sustainability?
Since I was an environmental science and policy major, I am always looking for ways to make our market and practices more sustainable. Farmers markets just so happen to be the most sustainable way to shop for food! The produce is all in-season and freshly picked from local farms, making the food more nutrient dense while having a lower-carbon footprint. Many of our farmers are using sustainable and/or organic growing practices, which cultivates healthier soil and biodiversity. Additionally, we encourage shoppers to bring their reusable bags and bring back packaging to be refilled by our vendors. Every other week, we also host a zero-waste pop-up to give customers access to low-waste home goods. To celebrate Earth Day, we will be hosting Bug Day, a free family event where kids can learn about all our beneficial insects with hands-on activities, stories, and crafts. We’d love to see you all there on April 26th!
What advice do you have for the Chapman community when it comes to living more sustainably, especially during Earth Month?
Start small and in ways that are accessible and maintainable for you. Remember, the most sustainable option is using what you already have! Take care of the items you have and try to repair them before tossing them. I personally love utilizing local Buy Nothing Groups when I need to declutter or I am looking for something that I need. More than likely, someone is trying to get rid of exactly what you are looking for, and at no cost!
How can others get involved with Orange Home Grown and support the mission of creating a healthier, more sustainable community?
The best way to support us is by visiting our market and supporting our farmers! They are the backbone of the community and reason that we have access to healthy food and a thriving community on Saturdays. We also have occasional volunteer opportunities at the Educational Farm, Hart Park Orange Grove or fundraising events, so sign up for our newsletter at our website to learn more about how to get involved with our many programs! We can’t do it without you all.
We love to hear what Chapman University Alumni are up to in their lives — and submit your own career, family and personal updates for a chance to be featured!
