Building a Resilient Local Food System

Emily Bruch serves as the Community Compost Coordinator at Community Roots. In this role, she is reducing food waste through the expansion of her site’s composting program. In her efforts to strengthen this key initiative, she has worked hard to recruit a robust base of volunteers and foster a strong sense of community. As a result, many community members not only return to volunteer regularly, but also bring friends with them to contribute to the cause.

Through these efforts, Emily has fortified her site’s long-term program sustainability, deepening its capacity to serve neighbors and increasing food security. Her work also functions to close the loop in the local food system by keeping valuable resources within the community. Ultimately, she and Community Roots envision creating a more resilient local food network.

During service, Emily has been proud to develop and launch new programs, managing multiple projects simultaneously. She feels these experiences have strengthened her ability to plan strategically, stay organized under pressure, and lead with a community-centered approach.

“I hope to carry these foundational skills into my future profession by continuing to work in mission-driven spaces where I can build systems, lead teams, and create programs that respond to real community needs,” she says.

Service has also offered Emily the opportunity to grow in her adaptability to last-minute changes. Although she prefers to plan ahead and stick to a schedule, she has found that unexpected shifts are often unavoidable in community-based work. As a result, she has grown more flexible and responsive in the moment, finding ways to pivot quickly without losing momentum.

“This experience has strengthened my ability to lead with calm and clarity under pressure and reminded me that adaptability is just as important as preparation,” she says.

Looking ahead, Emily is excited to pursue a second service term with Community Roots. In her second year, her role will change slightly, and she is eager for the opportunity to gain fresh experiences engaging with different parts of the same community.

“I’ve grown deeply connected with this community and feel there’s still impactful work I can contribute through continued service,” she says. “Professionally, [service has] taught me to approach challenges with empathy, humility, and a focus on long-term, sustainable solutions. It’s not just about meeting immediate needs, it’s about working toward systems that give everyone a fair shot.”

Great work, Emily, and thanks for your service!