In partnership with A Reason To Survive (ARTS), we are thrilled to embark on our new collaborative Building Sustainable Communities - Youth Leadership Program for students of Sweetwater High School!

Helping youth to expand job skills, learn to grow food and participate in creative placemaking, this program will give students the tools to think critically and create new friendships while becoming leaders in their community.

Last week, Rise San Diego held their annual Inclusive Leadership In Action Awards (ILIA) where they honored local leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Congratulations to one our amazing leaders and former interns, Isabel Vega, for receiving the Emerging Leaders Award!

Currently attending university, Isabel is a former Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Garden 2 Kitchen intern. After completing these two semester-long internships, she took the initiative to lead National City youth by volunteering to support our Garden Explorers program and exposing kids to environmental science. While encouraging environmental stewardship and food justice awareness for the next generation, Isabel is truly a champion for health!

Check out Rise San Diego's other award nominees and award winners here!

"The Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience and Farming"

by Natasha Bowens of Brown Girl Farming.

Post-Read: Thursday, November 5th, 5:30PM

Through these two virtual livestream programs, we have been exploring social inequities and highlighting small, local business. In discussions with experts like Executive Director, Elly Brown of San Diego Food System Alliance, and some of our amazing Kitchenista entrepreneurs we strive to to feed your mind, body and soul with issues relevant to you and the community.

Touching on the current state of the San Diego Food System and the impact COVID-19 and systemic racism has on accessibility to healthy seasonal foods, Elly Brown talks about ways to create a more equitable and just food system.

In Happy Hour Hangs with Kitchenistas Patty Corona and Lupita Perez with Kitchenista owned and operated Mariposa y Caracol Collective, and Kitchenista Aureny Aranda and her bread business Au Gourmet, we discuss the ups and downs of small business ownership, ways to support, and some tasty tips to enjoy some of our favorite food and drink.

Tune in to our Vegan Desserts Virtual Cooking Class to learn some great ways to incorporate plant-based recipes for that sweet tooth! Whether you're looking to modify your favorite recipes with a healthy twist, or have a plant-based celebration to look forward to, we got you covered.

Want to pick up your own Ingredient Kit containing the main ingredients used in the class to follow along at home? Purchase yours by 10/20 to pick up at Olivewood on Thursday (10/22).

The journey to wellness can start anywhere, and creating a culture of health within your organization can give staff the tools they need to thrive in and outside of the workplace. Whether your goal is team-building or establishing a culture of wellness, Olivewood has the class for you.

Sign your organization up for a virtual cooking class with a theme of your choice to start your journey alongside us!

The Equity Journey

At Olivewood Gardens, social equity is at the forefront of all that we do. In light of the recent spotlight on systemic racism and racial inequities, our entire staff and board have been participating in the Fieldstone Leadership Network's Equity Journey in partnership with Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Roots, are the lifeline of a plant, taking up air, water, and nutrients from the soil to support the livelihood of precious ecosystems.

In becoming a member of Roots for Health, you will be joining a passionate network which is essential to ensuring food security, nutrition education, and environmental stewardship for our community.

Looking for another way to help? Check out our Amazon Wishlist HERE!