“We learned so much about Florentine cuisine and the food systems in Italy, how food travels from the field to our forks. Most importantly, we fostered new lifelong relationships with a handful of wonderful people we met throughout the week!”. A great opportunity for engaging with local community for Jason, Brianna and Maureen, three young American undergraduate students, enrolled in the “Sustainable Food & Environmental Systems Program” offered by the International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai: a full week of hands-on experience where the 16 program participants have worked side by side, instructed and supervised by local vendors, coordinators, and chef. Partners included CFT Transportation and Logistics, Caritas Soup Kitchen, S. Ambrogio market, La Bottega della Frutta grocery shop, as well as the restaurants La Spada, Buca Lapi and Centopoveri.