Do you remember your first day of school⁠? Do you remember the mix of excitement, nervousness, and overwhelm you felt, seeing old friends, meeting new teachers, and learning so many new things? 

Last week, thousands of San Francisco Unified students returned to the classroom with all of the feelings you remember—and more. For kids today, going back to school is especially fraught, navigating the schooling challenges and social isolation of the last three pandemic years.

But with your support, Foodwise has been here for our students offering free experiential education at the farmers market, in the classroom, and in the school garden.We need your continued support, so that we can welcome students back to this fall.

Our Foodwise Teens and Foodwise Kids programs have been a space of community connection, wellness, joy, and empowerment for our youth, while they cultivate valuable food and job skills they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. Don’t take it from us. Here's what our some of our students have to say:

“Advocating for myself has skyrocketed since I’ve been with Foodwise Teens, I feel they offer a space for improvement. I feel the program has made me go outside in nature, so it made me connect back to earth.”

—Ruby, Foodwise Teens participant

“I was taught about critical thinking and systems in the past but I never thought about the process behind food I eat - the farmers, companies, drivers, and sellers of the food. Now I know this, I’m more interested in food justice, especially with climate change being a big issue right now.”

—Kennan, Foodwise Teens participant

“After participating in Foodwise Teens, I got to experience gardening and doing light labor, but that made me feel humble and grounded. I appreciate food so much more than before. I also have grown by recognizing where my interests lie and how I have integrated it into my life through this experience.”

–Kelly, Foodwise Teens participant

“The way Foodwise Teens brought a more spiritual and emotional aspect to gardening, it’s changed my viewpoint on what farming is.”

We are almost halfway to our Back to School, Back to the Farmers Market goal to raise $25,000 by the end of August. Can you chip in $50, $100, or more now to help us offer food education to more students like Ruby, Kennan, Kelly, and Pablo? Every gift makes a difference!

Advocating for yourself. Critical thinking. Feeling grounded in nature. These are experiences all students deserve to have so they can develop their whole selves. You can help make these experiences possible. Donate now to support Bay Area students in connecting with fresh food, nature, and community today, so they can become the empowered food leaders of tomorrow.

Your generous donation could be doubled if your employer offers a matching gift program (check here). Please let us know if you require any additional documentation to qualify for a matching contribution: cindy@foodwise.org.

For other ways to donate, such as Donor Advised Fund (DAF), contact: cindy@foodwise.org.