This show discovers innovative projects across San Diego that teach children, teens, and adults to grow fresh fruits and vegetables, all about the best cooking methods, and healthy food choices. We also visits community members who have come together to grow produce, all of which is all donated to those in need. Every one of these projects help address the issue of “food deserts” – areas where fresh produce is rare and hard to come by.
The first stop is to North County Community Service’s Bronner Garden. This production garden grows fruits and vegetables that feed 500 low income preschool students in the North County. In urban San Diego, Crawford High School’s Café to Garden program offers students gardening internships under the direction of the International Rescue Committee. As students hone their gardening skills, they also learn leadership, work ethics, and other life lessons. The produce they grow is served in the school cafeteria.
A Growing Passion then takes viewers to Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center in National City. Olivewood introduces children to a love of the outdoors, gardening and an appreciation of the environment. They experience the excitement of harvesting, cooking, and eating what they grow as part of their lessons on healthy food choices. In parallel to the school program Olivewood offers parents classes with similar lessons. This two pronged approach is changing the eating habits and the health of the community.
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In Poway, A Growing Passion visits The Backyard Produce Project, a volunteer organization started in 2009 to grow produce and gather surplus fruits from local backyards. What they grow and what they collect is given away at free farmer’s markets where 350-500 low income families “shop” each month. We hope through this journey to inspire viewers to learn more about and value the food we eat.
