September 1, 2020
Olivewood Thanks Community for Rallying Around Health During Pandemic
Friend,

For 10 years our garden has been used to nourish and teach, to explore and cultivate, and to build community and boost your mood. Traditionally we've used the majority of produce grown on-site in our hands-on nutrition education programs.

In March, all of that shifted due to COVID-19. While we miss inviting our guests to explore the historic house, beautiful flowers, herbs, and vegetable gardens, we are grateful to use our harvest to provide much needed nutrition for the community where we are rooted. Many people helped ensure we could maximize our land and grow as much food as possible to meet the demand. Friend, please enjoy this short thank you video as a small token of our gratitude for every person who donated, dropped by, offered to volunteer, or shared a note of thanks.
Please consider making a gift today so we can continue to grow and harvest food for our donation-based produce stand, and offer virtual field trips for elementary students, learning opportunities for Kitchenistas, and internships for our high school students. A special thanks to Phil Esteban and Open Gym SD & Craft Meals SD, Third Avenue Charitable Organization, Murphy’s Produce for Good and Project 1:1, the Fish to Families Program, Sprouts Chula Vista and Eastlake, and Healthy Day Partners and Nan Sterman, Waterwise Gardener.


– Jen Nation, Executive Director, Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center
We're Having a Virtual Chefcitos Pancake Party!
Saturday, September 12, 10AM
Join us Saturday, September 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. for a hands-on, family friendly Virtual Chefcitos Pancake Party! Grab the kids and join Olivewood's Nutrition Educator Rebecca to learn how to make healthy pancakes with fun toppings that kids are sure to love. Don't miss out on all the fun!
Join Our Build a Bowl Virtual Cooking Class: Thursday, September 24, 5PM
Join us for our virtual adult cooking class! On Thursday, September 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. we'll show you creative plant-based recipes to make your own Healthy Power Bowls using seasonal produce from Specialty Produce's Farmers' Market Box. Save your spot today!
Updates from the Garden
Join Olivewood's Book Club: "The Color of Food" by Natasha Bowens
Join us virtually to connect and reflect on the second book of Olivewood's Book Club: "The Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience and Farming" by Natasha Bowens. Join us on October 8th and November 5th for a conversation with fellow Olivewood community members about the book, or follow along with our discussion guides, available soon on our website with your own book club group!
View the Trailer –
"The Kitchenistas Movie"
We can barely hold in our excitement about this! The trailer for "The Kitchenistas Movie" created by filmmaker Mary Ann Beyster and Eddie Grace Films is out now! "The Kitchenistas Movie" is a feature documentary film that showcases new beginnings and journeys of health, wellness and tradition – one healthy dish at a time.
Get Connected with Olivewood!
In this new virtual environment we're living in, Olivewood is offering regular online learning and engagement opportunities to stay connected. Last week we hosted a virtual Cultivating Conversation event with the San Diego Food System Alliance about the #SDFoodVision2030, and a Seasonal Tapas cooking class. Did you miss them? No worries, we'll have more. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and turn on notifications to attend our future classes.
CBS 8 Shares Olivewood's Seasonal Tapas Cooking Class
In August, Olivewood was featured on CBS 8 Morning Extra to talk about the virtual cooking classes and how we are working together to keep San Diegans healthy.
One of our Favorite Summer Recipes: Vegan Pesto
We may be nearing the end of summer, but it's still basil season! Check out this video from Olivewood's 2020 Virtual Day of Play to learn how to make tasty vegan pesto with Nutrition Educator Rebecca. One of our favorite things to put on - well - everything!
Back to School: Affordable Home Internet
During this time of uncertainty and required in-home learning, our friends at Cox Communications are helping to get families in need connected to the internet through their Connect2Compete program.
Monthly Energy Tip
SDG&E hosts no-cost energy webinars to its customers. Learn about energy-saving upgrades and investments, whole house energy projects, using solar with an energy storage system (battery) and more.
Get social with us @OlivewoodGardens