The Mission of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center is to inspire youth and adults to be healthy and active citizens through organic gardening, environmental stewardship, and nutrition education. This Quarterly Newsletter spotlights how your support directly impacts our community.
Building Community Through Youth:

Our High School Students At Work
Our Garden-2-Kitchen High School Interns have been busy learning the connection that food has from the garden to the kitchen. From reviewing knife skills & macronutrients, to understanding our local food system & starting their own home gardens; students are cultivating leadership skills & bonds through shared work experiences that strengthen and encourage their confidence to succeed.

Congratulations to the 12 new graduates of our very first modified Cooking for Salud Imperial Beach teen cooking class in collaboration with IB Suncoast Market Co-op! Graduates learn about nutrition and healthy cooking from scratch to become ambassadors of healthy food in their community!

The Building Sustainable Communities Internship is providing tools & leadership skills for our youth to feel confident in their futures & make decisions to better our community!
"I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap."
-Ani DiFranco

Join us for a special virtual celebration of Olivewood's
impact & future growth!
Exciting Menu Updates



Get Ready to Bid!

We are excited to present a number of adventurous items and opportunities for you to bid on in the live & silent auction during the livestream event!

Auction Item Sneak Peek:
  • Cocktail Party for 8
  • Tijuana Tour & Lunch
  • Kitchenista-made dinner for 8
  • Sail the Bay w/ Olivewood picnic
  • Week Stay for 2 at Rancho La Puerta Resort
Want to become a Sponsor or Join the Honorary Committee?

*For more information on sponsorships, email claire@olivewoodgardens.org OR click HERE.*
"The Kitchenistas" Film Screenings
Food Traditions that Lead to Better Community Health
Following the initial release in early March, "The Kitchenistas"
full-length documentary has created a ripple effect in our community, one meal at a time. Created by Mary Ann Beyster & David Romero, this documentary follows women of our Cooking for Salud program who are advocating for healthy food traditions to change their communities & transform lives.

The story of The Kitchenistas is one of great impact and Olivewood has been thrilled to spread this impact through a number of private and professional screenings:

  • Facebook Live Celebration with Filmmakers, Cast & the Mayor of National City - View Here
  • Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, La Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud
  • Cine en Sherman by Outside the Lens - View Here
  • California Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics 2021 Conference - View Here

"A wonderful, touching film on a topic of international importance—getting back to our roots, and back to the kitchen to improve the health of our families and our communities. "
-Dr. Michelle Hauser
Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford University, School of Medicine

Want to hold your own Private Screening?
Email Claire at claire@olivewoodgardens.org
National City Culture of Health Prize

In 2020, Olivewood Gardens, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC), and National City partnered to nominate the community of National City for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Culture of Health Prize.

As one of eight finalists, National City is discussing how partners work together to foster inclusion and collective action to develop cross-sector partnerships. Through this endeavor, we are committed to food & environmental justice and community building.
Community Building Opportunities
Join Olivewood's Book Club

Olivewood is committed to justice and equity, to listening and learning, to action and advocacy, and we know that food justice and health equity are only possible when we achieve racial equity.
We hope that you will join us in reading the next book in this series:
"Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?:
And Other Conversations About Race"
by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

Meet with us virtually to connect, reflect, and identify action opportunities to continue the work justice and equity in our community. Haven't finished the book yet? No worries! All are welcome to participate in these impactful and thoughtful conversations!

Mid-Read Discussion: Thursday, May 27th, 5:30PM
Post-Read Discussion: Thursday, June 24th, 5:30PM

Looking for another way to suppoprt?
Check out our Amazon Wishlist HERE!
Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center
2525 N Avenue | (619)434-4281 info@olivewoodgardens.org