Success Story

$75,000

open space authority funds contributed to project

2023

project awarded

Valley Verde's San Jose Food Sovereignty Project supports urban agriculture and environmental education in underserved neighborhoods by providing approximately 120 families per year with intensive support to learn to grow fresh, healthy, culturally relevant produce. In collaboration with residents and schools, the organization creates and maintains vibrant urban gardens, provides a curriculum based on environmentally sustainable gardening methods and nutrition, fosters community building and environmental leadership, and increases access to urban green space. Families participate for an entire year or more, which gives them a foundation in growing their own food for the long-term and, ultimately, building a local food system that supports healthy ecosystems.

Award Date:

May 18, 2023

Program:

Urban Grant Program

Location:

691 W San Carlos St., San Jose

Have a similar Project?

Learn more about our Grant Program

Other Success
Stories

Championing Environmental Literacy in Campbell Elementary Schools

Living Classroom has partnered with the Campbell Union School District to continue an environmental education program focusing on three key areas: environmental literacy, connection to healthy food, and life and earth science lessons. Authority funds will contribute to a Next Generation Science Standard-aligned curriculum program providing lessons each year to thousands of students; lessons that stimulate curiosity and are taught in the beautiful and educational school gardens we create and maintain.

South Bay Growth

The Authority contributed funds to help Bay Area Wilderness Training expand its services in Santa Clara County to conduct South Bay focused outdoor leadership training courses, bolster partnerships in Santa Clara County, and provide outdoor trip support though the Milpitas free Gear Library. This project has increased the number of Santa Clara County outdoor trips for youth.

CommUniverCity SJSU’s Growing Sustainably

Growing Sustainably, a signature CommUniverCity SJSU program, is developing and delivering new curriculum connecting wildlife appreciation, Green STEM careers, and climate resilience to expand its programming. It is teaching 905 Central San Jose k-8th grade students living in underserved communities about local flora and fauna through urban habitat gardening. Additionally, the program is organizing grade level-appropriate environmental science career fairs using hands-on activities and field trips. Central San Jose program participants have multiple opportunities to garden, observe wildlife, learn about green STEM careers, visit the SJSU campus, enjoy natural areas, and address environmental issues relevant to them.