Growing Together: Isa Lifonso's Impact in Marquina

Isa Lifonso

Isa is one of the most familiar faces you will see at the Fundación's Marquina site. You can often spot her taking on a variety of roles around the Fundación, including tending to the chickens, assisting with the after-school program, and working to build more sustainable food systems for women in the Marquina community.

Building Sustainable Food Systems in Marquina

One of the primary ways Isa supports the community is through individualized programming with mothers and families throughout Marquina. She has helped several families establish their own tomato gardens to increase household produce production. Each month, on a regular schedule, Isa visits every family's garden to check on its progress and ensure the tomatoes are growing successfully.

During these visits, Isa also discusses important public health topics, such as nutrition and the importance of incorporating vegetables into daily diets. During her Loewenstern Fellowship, Ramya accompanied Isa on these visits and conducted surveys to better understand how women and their families were participating in the program and whether they faced any accessibility barriers.

In addition, Isa plays a key role in managing the hydroponic lettuce farm, coordinating both its upkeep and the harvesting of lettuce. The hydroponic farm provides a sustainable source of fresh produce for participating families and the broader Marquina community.

Below are some photos of Isa during her visits. Stay tuned for more updates!