Here at Food Moxie, we pride ourselves on digging deep into our programs, challenging ourselves to identify ways to enhance our offerings so they best meet the needs of those we serve. In 2016, this took the form of adding new components to our work — a year of firsts! 

We hosted Gather for Good, our first-ever teen urban agriculture conference. Designed by Saul High School students from our out-of-school-time program, as well as summer interns we hosted through the Philadelphia Youth Network, the conference was a huge success. Close to 80 people spent the day talking about food and environmental justice, diving into workshops, engaging with guest speakers and sharing delicious food. This was a great chance for like-minded teens to come together to explore issues they’re passionate about. We were thrilled to be joined by the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Philadelphia Water Department, the Attic’s LGBTQ Youth Center, The Food Trust, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and more!

We added paid internships to Hope Farm, our program at Martin Luther King High School for young people with autism and intellectual disabilities. Since the start of summer, Kendall and Denzel have joined us at our weekly farmstand, helping with everything from setting up to selling produce. This has enabled Kendall and Denzel to take some of the skills they’ve developed in class and apply them in real-world situations, while earning money and building their resumes.

We established a preteen group for Garden Club, our program for young people at Stenton Family Manor. As a result, Garden Club members ages 10 and older have gotten the chance to work on more complex projects — like pickling and operating the weed whacker — exploring age-appropriate academic concepts in the process. They’ve also had space to come together without their younger siblings, building community and relishing the chance to chat, laugh and spend time with friends.

We started doing home visits with Hope Kitchen families once they transition out of Stenton. Meeting in their own homes, we’ve helped them meal-plan and stock their pantries, and offer support as they develop into home cooks. In combination with the “Fresh Start” kit of key tools for home cooking (chef’s knife, spices and spice rack, cutting boards, measuring cups and spoons, and much more) earned by all Hope Kitchen graduates, these home visits help ensure that they are able to apply what they’ve learned as they head into this next chapter of their lives.

To those who’ve supported us along the way — be it financially, through supply donations or by spending time with us — we thank you. Here’s to digging even deeper in 2017!