from the garden

Meet Our New Additions!!

A new semester is upon us and with that brings a new crew of interns to the Urban Sprouts family. Our first additions are joining us from Northeastern University! Holly and Genevieve have traveled across the country to join us in the garden this semester and we are so happy to have them here with us. They hit the ground running and are already cooking up a storm with our ISA after-school program. The class made some super tasty quinoa salad with sauteed kale that everyone enjoyed!!

Welcome Holly and Genevieve!

Posted by audrey January 13, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Looking Forward to the New Year

Happy holidays Urban Sprouts family!

This year to me has been all about transitions. Even though some of the transitions were a little rough, they all have an amazing gift for the New Year.

It has now been a year from the time I was transitioning from the Boys and Girls Club to Urban Sprouts. I was excited but at the same time nervous because there were new teammates, team dynamics, and personalities. I can honestly say that it has been a pleasure working with all of them this year. It is definitely a privilege to work in a small organization because it allows everyone to get to know each other. I especially have enjoyed doing outreach events with all of them.

As far as schools it was definitely sad to let go of Ida B. Wells and MLK for Urban Sprouts this year. For me I was really sad to have left Ida B. Wells. As any leader it is important to pass on the reigns and be there as a resource. I am most happy to see Nopa and Ida B. Wells collaborating in making “B Well Farm” an extraordinary space for the students of Ida B. Wells. It was also inspiring to see a teacher from MLK take initiative for the school garden and work with the community to build up their garden.

I know this year will be an amazing year and I am excited to continue with the great work that Urban Sprouts does.

Happy Hollidays!

Posted by Raul December 24, 2011   Posted in: culture, family, history, leadership  No Comments

New Orchard at JJSE!

Our beautiful new orchard before being covered with mulch, with Juan and Rico in the background

Thanks to Rico Montenegro and The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation we now have a full on orchard with multiple varieties of pear, apple, plum, orange, lemon and lime trees at JJSE. Over a hundred students came out to help in our inaugural planting. With their help we were able to dig holes for 31 trees, plant them, and cover them with mulch (wood chips). We have placed mulch along the two rows of trees to make a little pathway since the planting with our garden class at JJSE and the trees our now looking great. These trees are an investment in JJSE’s future and in a few years, with lots of water, love, and patience, we will be feasting, in a very literal sense, on the succulent fruits of our labor. We’re expecting our first harvest in 2015, so stay in touch.

We invite you to come see the new orchard and visit the existing garden at JJSE. Help yourself to some of the harvest greens (lots of chard and kale), speak with one of our staff or interns (at the garden Tuesdays and Thursdays), and meet the resident chickens, Frosty and Juanita (available year round). Hope to see you soon.

The orchard after mulching

Posted by admin December 9, 2011  Tags: , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Family Cooking Classes Start January 4th!

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Starting January 4th, we will be offering another session of our Family Cooking Class. Families and students from our partner schools are welcomed to join us for this fabulous 6-week class as we learn all sorts of super tasty, healthy meals. Classes will meet every Wednesday from 6-8pm in the International Studies Academy cafeteria. This is a youth friendly class and we welcome young people of all ages to join with their parents, guardians, or friends. If you are interested in registering for this free class or would like more information please contact us at 415-287-0722 or raul@urbansprouts.org.

Posted by audrey December 8, 2011   Posted in: event, family, food systems, local food, parent  No Comments

Give the Gift of Healthy Food!

This season, Urban Sprouts’ new team of peer-to-peer educators is bringing the heart and soul of our garden-based classes out to the street. We’re thinking big, training 24 youth and family members to take garden-based nutrition education to 300 more of their friends and neighbors. The power of helping your friends and family to eat healthier starts a ripple effect that can impact the whole community.

You can make a big impact, too!

Especially during the holidays, the power of a home-cooked family meal is so real. You can help more youth and families eat better every day.

Please join us, by giving your gift of $84, $250 or $500 today. Click now to give securely online.

Learn how far your gift will go >>

Moms at market

Posted by abby November 23, 2011   Posted in: family, fundraising, parent, youth involvement  Comments Closed

Out In the Garden

An amazing experience is to have a student lookout from the garden and admire the beauty of their city. I remember when I was a student in Urban Sprouts, the garden was an escape and i can look out to the city  and at that moment the city didn’t seem that small to me

Posted by Raul November 21, 2011   Posted in: Art, Uncategorized, design, leadership, physical activity, school garden, urban garden, youth involvement  Comments Closed

Orange Photography

Looking for a unique holiday present this year that also supports a great cause? Consider purchasing a gift certificate for a fabulous photography session with Orange. 5% of their  holiday proceeds will support our work here in San Francisco.

Did you know they were the first certified green photography studio in San Francisco City and County by the San Francisco Green Business Program? Pretty cool!

Click HERE for more details

Read the rest of this post »

Posted by audrey November 16, 2011   Posted in: event, family, fundraising  Comments Closed