Roots for Life’s programs work in conjunction with a comprehensive educational component that is designed to deepen the connectivity by providing tips and techniques towards healthy living.

For more information on Roots for Life's program series, or to become a Community Volunteer contact Roots for Life at Info@roots-for-life.org.

Crops in the Kitchen

With every generation, the perceived value of cooking decreases while eating processed and fast food increases. We’re changing that!

As people increasingly eating food not prepared at home a high proportion of adults and children are becoming overweight or obese and not meeting the healthy dietary guidelines. For optimal health it is important to have access to healthier and fresh food.

In striving to provide nutritious food to our neighbors in need, Crops in the Kitchen, provides culinary participation classes and demonstrations that emphasizes the direct relationship between wellness and food, provide easy to use nutrition information and explain the value of local foods and sustainable food systems.

Our classes are taught by local chefs, nutritionists, and trained volunteers that are food activists and lovers.

Participants will learn to prepare meals with fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs and will leave each class with fresh produce, recipe cards and spices to make delicious healthy meals at home.

Countertop Crops

Vegetable container gardening can bring joy and bounty! If you have a window sill, patio, backyard or window that have lots of sunlight you can grow your own food. Imagine the simple pleasure of biting into a cucumber or tomato still warm from the sun, picked and eaten on the spot is almost unbeatable. You can grow just about any vegetable in a container and you can also save serious bucks by growing your own veggies.

What you can grow in a container garden is limited only by the size of the container and your imagination. Want to learn how to start a Summer Salad Container? We teach you how to plant tomato, cucumbers and some parsley or chives all in a large container. In addition, our classes focus on sun, soil, fertilizer, drainage, and seeds or seedlings.

Enhance your knowledge by attending one of our food education workshops to learn how to preserve and can for the colder months.

Community Food Education

Beyond growing and distributing healthy food, Roots for Life aims to be a hub of learning to build healthy communities. Our one-time classes for residents will be offered throughout Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Come and learn from some of the following workshops offered:

Reducing Food Waste
Home Food Preservation and Canning
Safe Handling for Fresh produce