We strive to support a local food system that can support food sovereignty, adapt to a changing climate, celebrate local food traditions, increase positive health outcomes, and empower community members. Our collaborative, systems based approach creates lasting change in our community.
A snapshot of our impact is below:
- Supported over 60 food based entrepreneurs in our shared commercial kitchen with multiple businesses graduating into their own brick and mortar locations.
- Protected southern crop biodiversity by stewarding over 950 varieties in our Southern Heritage Seed Collective, and distributing over 4,200 seed packets through online sales and community donations.
- Provided consistent afterschool science and nutrition based garden programs for over 65 students each week at 5 community centers.
- Established a Youth Empowerment program in partnership with local organizations to provide rich learning and paid internship opportunities to students aging out of the youth gardening programs.
- Supplied and delivered over 200 free meal kits made from locally-sourced, nutritious food that Young Chefs then cooked with their families to make 800 individual meals.
- Provided technical advice, plants, support, and seeds to community and youth gardens throughout Gainesville.
- Worked with policy-makers to include local food economy and food access into guiding documents for our city and county, and helped develop an approach to identify local partners for the microloan program.
- Hosted or participated in over 50 events including local food tastings, gardening workshops, expert speaking engagements, business incubation seminars, food safety information sessions, farm CSA pick ups, and more!
- Collaborated with over 30 community organizations to build a robust local food web.
- See our 2023-2024 Impact Report
