2023 Annual Appeal: Celebrating Two Decades of School Garden Success

When a coalition of educators, neighbors, and concerned citizens joined forces to dig up an asphalt lot at 24th Street Elementary to build a garden, they couldn’t possibly anticipate the incredible impact the 24th St. garden would have on the hearts and minds of Angelinos two decades later.  Today the 1.5 acre 24th St garden is one of the largest, oldest, and most beloved gardens within LAUSD. 24th St. is the heart and soul of GSF and the site where we developed our Seed to Table program before expanding it in 2013 to four more Title 1 elementary schools, Wilshire Crest, Grand View Blvd, Rockdale, and Mary W. Jackson. Currently, GSF serves 10 schools, reaching more students and their families with our in-depth garden, cooking, and composting programming.

Many GSF students experience food insecurity and lack access to safe, green spaces. Representative of our student population is 24th St.,  where 97% of students live below the poverty line. Over the last two decades, we’ve witnessed the huge role school gardens play in students’ lives and educational experiences. 80% of LAUSD teachers we surveyed in June 2023 believe that GSF classes improve overall student attentiveness and engagement in the classroom. 87% told us they noticed positive changes in student behavior regarding engagement with the environment. As a 4th grade teacher at 24th St. observed, “Garden class helps students' social and emotional performance.”  

To our students, their school garden represents a chance to learn science, math, and nutrition by doing. Here’s what some GSF students had to say about their time in the garden and kitchen:  

–"I loved finding out what each color fruit does for the body " -4th grader at  24t St 

–"I really  liked learning about our environment and about how to take care of it "- 4th grader

 at Grand View 

–“Because you get to learn where your food comes from, it makes you want to be thankful.” -4th grader at Mary W. Jackson

Like all small nonprofits, GSF is entering an unpredictable funding climate. Please consider contributing to us this giving season, to help sustain this crucial work, and ensure that our school gardens continue to thrive as sites of education, fresh food production, and community.