Did you know that we make around 100 food-related decisions every single day? Yet, the way we make these choices differs dramatically depending on where we live. In cities, people tend to choose a variety of healthy options — fresh vegetables, fruits, and balanced meals. In the countryside, however, dietary habits often lean in the opposite direction: approximately 48% of meals include meat or fish, while only 17% feature vegetables or fruits.
Why? This difference is not simply a matter of preference. In rural areas, access to convenient, healthy alternatives and awareness around balanced nutrition are often limited. Recognizing this imbalance is what led to the creation of Power People, a student-led non-profit initiative founded by Alina Schoeller, a 10th grader at MIS living in the small town of Schäftlarn.
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Alina’s journey began when several of people close to her heart were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Shocked by how common the disease was becoming in her community, she began to research its causes—only to discover that many of her favorite foods, such as sausages, pizza, chocolate, and meat-heavy dishes, were among the leading contributors.
Motivated by this, Alina decided to transform her own diet, experimenting with fresh meals such as vegetable pots, curries, bowls, and soups. She even prepared and delivered a one-hour presentation to her family of seven, encouraging them to adpot a healthier lifestyle. After that 5/7 members said, “Okay, let’s do it”. They soon discovered how much more energetic, alert, and awake they felt.
Yet, as Alina looked around her community, she noticed little change in others’ habits: fast-food shops remained busy, and sweets and fried snacks from the local supermarket still dominated students’ lunches. That’s when the idea for Power People was born.
With the encouragement of her teachers and the support of the action-oriented, empowering community at MIS which she has been part of since her Kindergarten years, Alina turned her idea into a real project. “Growing up in such a supportive and dynamic environment gave me the courage to believe that I could make a difference,” she reflects.
Power People’s mission is to make healthy, affordable food accessible to everyone — everywhere. According to recent studies by the AOK Scientific Institute, diabetes rates in rural Germany are about 30% higher than in urban areas and obesity is 15% greater. To address this, Power People operates a community food truck, funded through a GoFundMe campaign, which serves fresh, nutritious meals every Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 16:00 in Schäftlarn.
Beyond serving meals, Alina and her team organize workshops and talks in kindergartens and schools, raising awareness about healthy eating from an early age.
Every Thursday evening, the Power People Team (with more than 15 members already) begins preparing homemade sauces for the week. On Friday mornings—often as early as 5:00 a.m.—Alina chops vegetables and fruits before heading to school, supported by a group of students from her neighborhood. Together, they ensure the truck is ready to open on time.
“What keeps me going,” Alina shares, “is not the number of bowls we sell, but the number of conversations we have. Seeing people leave with a smile, feeling appreciated and inspired to eat better—that’s what makes it all worth it.”
MIS has played a crucial role in Alina’s journey—providing her with the tools, confidence, and encouragement to transform a personal concern into a community-driven movement. Dreaming Bold Dreams is what brought Power People to life and inspired her to envision longer, healthier lives for all.
If you would like to support Alina’s project, you can follow her journey on Instagram or contribute to her cause on GoFundMe.
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