San Juan Capistrano's Ecology Center Shifts Gears, Feeds Families

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, one community farm in San Juan Capistrano is continuing to impact community health in a big way. The Ecology Center launched its Nourishing Neighbors program in 2020 with the mission of feeding the San Juan Capistrano community during the pandemic.

Nourishing Neighbors currently feeds 120 families in the community every week, The Ecology Center reported. Now, The Ecology Center is making a few changes to the program in order to better address food insecurity in the community and food waste.

The center detailed the changes in a community newsletter issued Friday.

Moving forward, Nourishing Neighbors will offer food insecure families fresh and pre-made meals as opposed to the normal weekly boxes of produce and pantry goods.

"With the help of local volunteers, our culinary crew will cook a big batch of rice, beans, greens and vegetables harvested from our Regenerative Organic Certified farm, and pack these meals into 32-ounce jars for distribution to our Nourishing Neighbors families each week," the newsletter said.

This change, according to the center, helps address the weekly surplus of farm harvest that the center faces.

To donate to Nourishing Neighbors, visit The Ecology Center's website.