Fresh Approach collaborates with communities and farmers to increase access to locally grown food, culturally relevant nutrition education, and urban agriculture—rooted in the belief that everyone deserves nourishing food and the knowledge to support their well-being. We do this through Mobile and Traditional Farmers’ Markets with accompanying incentives programs, trauma-informed VeggieRx nutrition workshops, and community-based agriculture programs. 

This grant will support monthly, hands-on cooking and nutrition classes at Bay Area food pantries, where participants will learn how to prepare and preserve culturally relevant produce. Each class includes VeggieRx vouchers to help families access fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. Participants will also be invited to join a 16-week bilingual “Food as Medicine” online series, providing deeper insights into nutrition and chronic disease prevention. To build long-term sustainability, the project includes a train-the-trainer model to equip pantry staff and community leaders to deliver culturally responsive nutrition education. Together, these efforts will reach ~170 households, increase access to healthy and locally-grown food, and strengthen community-based food systems through education, empowerment, and dignity.