Farren Tropea

Farren was raised by the aroma of traditional Italian foods. She’s grateful to call the traditional territory of the Fort William First Nations (Thunder Bay) home. Studying Applied Human Nutrition at the University of Guelph offered opportunities for farming, beekeeping and understanding the intersection of food systems and dietetics. The Northern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program (Class of 2020) taught her about all the corners of dietetics and offered a sense of clarity. She gained lasting friendships and mentors who she leaned on in her first job at the Matawa First Nations Health Co-Operative just months after graduating. Travel to remote northern communities for diabetes care had a profound impact as she learned about the Indigenous food culture firsthand. She obtained her certification as a Diabetes Educator during this time. Hearing stories from these clients moved Farren to work upstream and focus efforts on advocacy for an improved food system. She moved to a role at the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority where she now works on the Preventing Chronic Disease team.  She hopes to be a preceptor to NODIP learners to remind them that the field of dietetics is colourful and ever-growing.