Food is Freedom.
At The Calming Leaf Foundation, we are dedicated to improving food sovereignty and fighting food insecurity through education and community-driven initiatives. We believe that food sovereignty is a key to building and strengthening communities long term.
By sovereignty, we mean a level of control over, and involvement in, production of one’s food. This goes hand in hand with an understanding of proper nutrition and local economics. Food sovereignty is a fundamental right that empowers individuals and communities to have control over their food systems, from production to distribution. By supporting local food economies and promoting healthy nutrition, we can create stronger, more resilient communities.
By building and strengthening communities, we refer to our key initatives:
Teach students, through our K-12 educational program, how to grow their own food using hydroponics and traditional farming methods. By incorporating hydroponics and traditional farming techniques, we provide students with hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of where their food comes from. In person and virtual instruction facilitates maximum understanding of our unique and effective curriculum. This improves the connection of health and food for the students. Our research has shown us that when students are involved in the growing process of gardening, they’re more likely to choose healthier food options
Partner with local businesses and communities to organize community fridges in key areas, reducing food waste and improving food insecurity. These fridges provide access to fresh, healthy food for those who may not have easy access to it. By repurposing food waste and increasing food security, we can create a more equitable food system that benefits everyone and the environment.
Research and collect data to better understand the impact of our initiatives on the community. By analyzing survey results from our school programs and data from our community fridges, we can identify areas of improvement and develop new strategies/policies for fighting food insecurity. We aim to make our research open sourced, so others in the community can use it to analyze, brainstorm and build new initiatives. More open and effective compared to cyclical/inconsistent Census data or municipal/private studies.
Food availability and access are intertwined with the community’s socioeconomic status, mental health, and overall advancement. Our approach to improving food sovereignty and fighting food insecurity is comprehensive and community-driven. We believe that by empowering individuals to have control over their food systems, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Join us in our mission to improve food sovereignty and fight food insecurity.