Programs

Veggielution aims to engage the community in the production of fruits and vegetables to foster a land – food connection, build community and increase access to and consumption of healthy foods. We do this through volunteer workdays and selling produce at our Farm Stand. At our volunteer workdays, residents participate in a variety of farm tasks such as weeding, planting, composting, and harvesting. In this way people learn how to grow their own food and become part of the community. The bulk of our farm work is accomplished through these workdays, so that our food is truly grown by and for the community. We strive to recruit a diverse range of individuals and families to volunteer with us and welcome all ages. The food we grow is given to workday volunteers and Dig Crew participants, sold at our Farm Stand, donated to soup kitchens, and sold at farmers markets and to local restaurants. In July 2011 we will begin selling Farm Boxes, which will provide a week’s worth of produce for a family of 4. We will also begin to accept CalFresh (food stamps) as payment for the Farm Stand and Farm Boxes.

Can you dig it? Veggielution engages high school students on a deep level through Dig Crew, our teen after school and summer program. Youth participating in the program work on the farm while learning about sustainable agriculture, nutrition, active living, cooking, environmental issues, and food justice. Throughout the program youth gain transferable job skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. They also act as agents of change in their families and communities, spreading the knowledge and skills they have learned on the farm.

We see education as a key ingredient in creating significant change in the health of the low-income communities of East San Jose. We offer free bilingual workshops on basic seasonal cooking and gardening, and we are partnering with Fresh Approach to offer Cooking Matters – a 6 week cooking and nutrition course for low income families. We also offer a range of workshops on other topics such as beekeeping, cheese making, food preservation, and pickling. Every second Saturday of the month we have Family Day, which connects kids with healthy eating  and nature on the farm.

Details coming soon.