From the Grocery Aisle to Global Agriculture:
Jennifer Zingone’s Journey in Public Service
Raised on the Upper West Side, Jennifer Zingone grew up with the rhythms of her family’s neighborhood grocery store—Zingone Bros.—as the soundtrack to her childhood. For nearly a century, the shop has been a community staple, a place where people knew your name and your story. It was in that space, surrounded by neighbors and nurtured by connection, that Jennifer’s passion for food, equity, and community began to take root.
Now a senior at CCNY, majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies, Jennifer has turned those early experiences into a bold, globally-minded vision. “I’ve always been interested in the ways food systems shape and sustain communities,” she says. At City College, that interest has deepened into a focus on agricultural equity, food sovereignty, and the intersection of climate, policy, and care—particularly for women farmers and small producers.
Jennifer’s academic journey has taken her from the halls of Congress to the farms of Veracruz. Through internships supported by The Moynihan Center and the CPS Climate Policy Fellowship, she’s explored how public service can center sustainability and social justice. “Thanks to CPS, I had the confidence to pursue my niche career in an urban setting—even though I didn’t know much about agriculture to begin with,” she reflects.
After graduation, Jennifer plans to build on that foundation. This summer, she interned with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture. Next, she’s heading to Italy to live with a farming family and gain hands-on experience with global agricultural challenges. Her ultimate goal? A master’s degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, where she can continue to merge policy, sustainability, and international development.
When asked what advice she’d give to fellow students, Jennifer doesn’t hesitate. “The support I received throughout my time at CPS reminded me that I am never alone, and that’s what real community looks like. Public service isn’t just about policy; it’s about people showing up for each other, quietly and consistently.”
And when asked to describe the Powell School in just three words? “Empowering. Transformative. Powerful.”
