Veggielution

02/01/2025

Dear Veggielution Community,

As our country faces significant changes with the new administration, we want to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to our community and our shared values. The road ahead may present challenges and uncertainty, but we remain devoted in our mission to connect people from diverse backgrounds through food and farming to build power in East San José.

East San José is a vibrant community of languages, cultures, and histories. We strive to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to connect with the land, cultivate food, and share stories that reflect our collective identity. These shared experiences not only nourish us physically but also strengthen the bonds that hold our community together.

At Veggielution, our commitment to ensuring access to healthy food remains stronger than ever. Our farm will continue to be a safe space where families find community, nurture their physical and mental health, and access trusted resources.

We recognize many policies executed to date are an attack on our immigrant and mixed-status families, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and the future of our planet. These targeted attacks underscore the importance of our work and deepen our resolve to fight for justice, equity, and inclusion. Our programs focus on uplifting small businesses, including local farmers who grow our food and entrepreneurs who help create a thriving local food economy. Additionally, our team works alongside community leaders and organizers to set priorities, co-create solutions, and propose equitable and inclusive food-related and environmental focused policies. We will continue working with our partners to build a resilient and sustainable food system that uplifts our community.

As we monitor the evolving political landscape, we are prepared to face any challenges that come our way. We are here for our community in East San José. We will uphold our values and work with our neighbors. And we encourage individuals and organizations to join us in this mission to build a brighter, more equitable future.

In solidarity,
Shawn Gerth
Executive Director

01/30/2025

Kick off the year with us at 1st Saturday, where we’ll be hosting a Staff and Community Talent Show! Come showcase your skills and celebrate the amazing talents within our community. The Talent Show will run from 12 PM to 12:30 PM.

📣❗️ Please note: Our Farmstand will close at 1 PM to help ease congestion in the area later in the afternoon. If you plan to pick up fresh produce, be sure to stop by early!

We appreciate your understanding, and we forward to seeing you at the farm!

01/27/2025

01/25/2025

Kick off the year with us at 1st Saturday, where we’ll be hosting a Staff and Community Talent Show! 🎤✨🪄Come showcase your skills and celebrate the amazing talents within our community. The Talent Show will run from 12 PM to 12:30 PM.

🍅 Farmstand 10am-2pm
Visit our Farm Stand and pick up some farm-fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs for your kitchen.

💃 Zumba 11:00am-12pm
Move your body in our free Zumba class. Make sure to bring your water bottle.

🪴 Youth Garden 10am-12:30pm
Learn about worm compost with our new environmental education promotores!

🎟️ Activity & Prizes! 10am-12:30pm
Participate in our activity to be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a prize!

📚 Resources 10am-1pm
Learn about community resources for you and your family from local organizations!

🧑‍🌾 Field Volunteer 10am-12:30pm
Volunteer and work with our farm team to help maintain our over 6-acre farm! Activities vary monthly, but some activities can include weeding, planting, and harvesting.

No Cocina cooking class this month. Cocina returns on March 1st Saturday of 2025!!!

01/24/2025

Welcome to 2025! 🎉 -

Our team came together to create a video to kick off 2025 with some fun! We hope you check it out and enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it.

01/17/2025

Join us in celebrating fEAST, our annual fundraising dinner, by sponsoring this unforgettable evening! 🥂🍴🌟

fEAST brings together over 250 inspiring community leaders, partners, and officials for an incredible night supporting Veggielution’s impactful programs in community engagement, environmental education, and food sovereignty. The evening is packed with exciting activities, including a beer garden, live music, and a hayride adventure. Guests are also served a gourmet dinner by LUNA Mexican Kitchen and appetizers by Hết sẩy!

Your sponsorship doesn’t just make fEAST happen, it helps power our mission to create lasting change in East San José. Explore our sponsorship opportunities and be part of this one-of-a-kind celebration by visiting http://veggielution.org/feast. 💚

01/09/2025

Thank you to each and every volunteer—whether you’re a new face or a returning super volunteer—who has donated your time and energy over the past few months. From planting native hedgerows to packing food boxes for the Eastside community, your dedication has been truly remarkable.

With over 700 volunteers working in large groups, you’ve made a lasting impact on our environment and community and formed friendships and connections that will last. Your countless hours of hard work are a testament to the strength of our collective spirit.
Thank you for your time, your heart, and your passion. We couldn’t do it without you, and together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community. We hope to make more lasting memories with you all!

Thank you from the Veggielution team! 💚🫶🏽🌱

12/28/2024

Elena is a dedicated community member who has consistently sought ways to create a better future for herself, her family, and her neighbors.

As one of the five co-owners of Quelities Coop, a vegan and vegetarian food cooperative specializing in Latin cuisine, Elena works alongside past Eastside Grown fellows to promote sustainability and healthy eating. The cooperative prioritizes locally and organically grown produce and works closely with local farmers to source their ingredients. This approach not only ensures clean and sustainable food but also supports other key players in the local food system. Elena says, “We are all in the same fight and struggle with similar issues, and to be united as a community is one way we can help one another.”

Elena’s dedication extends beyond Quelities Coop. She is an active member of Fuerza Comunitaria, the organizing committee formed by graduates of the Jobs to Grow program. The committee is focused on advocating for local small businesses and to reduce the barriers that entrepreneurs face. This year, they launched a campaign to lower permit costs for small home-based businesses to make it easier for aspiring entrepreneurs to start and grow their ventures. By meeting with County officials, the committee has taken significant steps to address the community’s concerns and propose practical solutions. Elena and her peers are determined to continue this work and create more opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Through her involvement in these initiatives, Elena has grown both as a leader and as a member of her community. She reflects, “Being a part of these groups has made me feel like I’m not alone in these common struggles. People have the power to make change.”

For Elena, entrepreneurship is about more than just running a business—it’s about creating opportunities. She believes that having a business allows people to craft a life that aligns with their values and priorities. “It’s a concept that can help in different ways,” she explains. “For mothers and fathers, it offers the flexibility to build a schedule that fits with their families. And when you create a business based on something you love, it becomes a way to support your family while doing something meaningful.”

Elena’s story demonstrates how small businesses and community organizing can work hand in hand to uplift individuals and strengthen the bonds of a community. Her journey is a powerful reminder that when people unite to address shared struggles, they can build a brighter and more sustainable future together.

Support us build a more just food system by donating at www.veggielution.org/donate

12/27/2024

The farm will be closed on December 28th and January 4th. Our team will take some well-deserved time off. Thank you for your understanding and support. We’ll reopen on January 11th, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the farm!

🍎

La granja estará cerrada el 28 de diciembre y el 4 de enero. Nuestro equipo se tomará un tiempo libre. Gracias por su comprensión y apoyo. Abriremos de nuevo el 11 de enero!

12/26/2024

At Veggielution, our Organizing and Advocacy team draws inspiration from generations of leaders who have built power in East San José. Together with community organizers and advocates, we work to transform unjust systems and advocate for policies that create a more just, equitable, resilient, and sustainable food system.

Our team’s work is centered on listening to community concerns and working together to create practical solutions that improve the lives of our families. We help lead several community-driven committees, including:

🍎 Santa Clara County Resident Advisory Committee – A group of community members co-creating solutions and shaping equitable food-related policies.
👩‍🍳 Jobs to Grow Organizing Committee called Fuerza Comunitaria–Comprised of Jobs to Grow program graduates working to reduce the barriers that entrepreneurs face.

Join us in building a more just food system. Support our work by donating at veggielution.org/donate.

12/24/2024

🎄🦚 How the Peacocks Stole Christmas 🦚🎄 -

As the year comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude for everyone who supported Veggielution. This year has been one of exciting projects, transformative changes, and meaningful contributions to our community—all made possible by you.

12/19/2024

Last packing day of the year! 15 volunteers and 700 farm boxes! Thank you to all of the amazing supportive volunteers who have packed boxes with us in 2024 here at the farm. 🫶

12/18/2024

We welcomed thousands of visitors to the farm this year! From packing produce boxes and beautifying the fields to supporting our fEAST events, volunteers played a huge role in making it all happen. At our monthly 1st Saturday events, people of all ages came together for cooking classes, Zumba, art, environmental workshops, and shared meals—celebrating the power of community.

As we work toward our Winter Campaign goal of $20,000, every contribution matters. But if donating isn’t possible, giving your time as a volunteer is just as meaningful.

Volunteering is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to get involved. This year alone, over 415 volunteers helped keep our farm thriving—and we’d love to see you join in.

We can’t wait to see you at the farm soon! Sign up to volunteer today—https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/veggielution-volunteer-opportunities-2624679?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

12/15/2024

Mixteca Poblana is not your typical Mexican food truck. Owned and operated by Betty, this unique business specializes in traditional cuisine from Puebla, Mexico. From cemitas and tlacoyos to memelitas, each dish is a testament to authentic Pueblan flavors and cooking methods. Betty takes pride in using traditional techniques, like grinding corn on a metate to prepare fresh masa, and she sources ingredients such as mole directly from Puebla. Every item on her menu is crafted by hand, with care and patience, before being served to her guests.

Betty’s journey into the food business began with a love for cooking that she shared with family and friends during holidays, celebrations, and special occasions — all without expecting anything in return. It was a close friend who first encouraged her to turn this passion into a profession. Inspired by the idea of sharing her beloved Pueblan dishes with more people, Betty decided to take the leap. She started small, selling tamales and huaraches outside a church on Sundays while carrying her infant son on her back. That humble beginning marked the start of her entrepreneurial adventure.

For Betty, her children have always been her priority. As a mother of three, two of whom have special needs, she’s deeply committed to supporting and empowering her family. She involves her children in the business, ensuring they feel enabled and capable of contributing. Betty hopes her children can serve as an inspiration to others in the special needs community.

If you’re craving a taste of Puebla, look no further than Mixteca Poblana. You can find Betty’s food truck at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church:
▪️Fridays 11am-8pm
▪️Saturdays 9am-8pm
▪️Sundays 8am-8pm.

Support more entrepreneurs by donating at http://www.veggielution.org/donate

12/13/2024

This year, we proudly launched the 4th cohort of Eastside Grown program and welcomed 19 new entrepreneurs! Over the course of this immersive 8-month program, participants gain valuable knowledge and skills through small business workshops, hands-on technical assistance training, community-building events, and peer coaching sessions. Eastside Grown is a vital part of the Jobs to Grow initiative, which is dedicated to advancing economic mobility and creating opportunities for residents to achieve their dreams.

By the end of the program, we aim to celebrate the launch of at least eight new food businesses. Each of these entrepreneurs will not only contribute to the local economy but also bring their unique flavors, ideas, and passion to the community.
We’re excited to embark on this journey with this incredible cohort and can’t wait to see the impact they will make in the remaining few month of the program!

Stay tuned this Saturday to hear from Betty, a past cohort participant who has successfully launched her very own food truck, Mixteca Poblana! If you’d like to support our entrepreneurs, visit our website to explore a list of food businesses to support and to donate to help us continue supporting entrepreneurs.

12/12/2024

The Climate Resilience Leadership Academy (CRLA) is a collaborative effort by Veggielution in partnership with the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department. We engage with nine organizations in this program to address climate change and its impacts. Through eight interactive sessions, CRLA participants delve into climate science, mitigation strategies, and the disproportionate impact of climate change. They also explore the health risks of extreme heat and poor air quality.

Following these sessions, these organizations have developed their own climate resilience and adaptation projects with the support of a mini-grant to help further their impact. Here are some the projects developed from this initiative:

🌲LUNA - Latinos United for a New America is addressing low tree canopy in East San José. LUNA will partner with tenants and landlords in multi-family buildings to plant trees and improve air quality. A dedicated community care team will ensure the long-term health of these newly planted trees.

🧑‍🏫 Recovery Cafe San Jose is creating a 10-week curriculum called “Navigating a cold winter” to offer support to community members during the winter, and another 10-week curriculum in the spring called “Navigating a hot summer” In addition to these class series, they will also purchase air purifiers, fans, and canopies for their office space to create a more comfortable environment for their members. They'll also provide reusable water bottles to encourage members to stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste.

These projects demonstrate the power of community-led solutions in combating climate change.

12/06/2024

When Rosa gets home from her walk to the farm to pick up her farm box, she eagerly looks through the fresh vegetables and fruits inside, wondering what to make with the ingredients. Her son glances at the box and spots onions, cabbage, radishes, jalapeño, and cilantro. “This is perfect for making pozole verde!” he exclaims.

Most weeks, Rosa and her son know exactly what to cook with the produce, often drawing from family recipes. Other times, they crave something different but aren’t sure how to make it, so they turn to quick YouTube tutorials for inspiration. That’s how Rosa learned to make ceviche using cauliflower, lemon, herbs, and V8 tomato juice—a dish that has become a favorite.

Receiving the farm box has become a weekly tradition that Rosa and her son look forward to. It provides a reliable source of fresh ingredients that helps feed themselves.

She is deeply involved in her community and passionate about making it a better place. Rosa first connected with our Eastside Connect (EC) program through SOMOS Mayfair’s Empuje program, a committee of parents/caregivers organize to achieve changes in the local school system and bring resources to our schools. There, community members exchanged resources and supported one another. She found a similar sense of camaraderie and mutual support in Eastside Connect, building relationships and exchanging helpful information and resources with her neighbors.

Unfortunately, due to funding challenges, the Eastside Connect program was closed this year. This will impact many families who have relied on it for years. Despite this, Rosa remains determined to advocate for and organize around food security resources. She firmly believes that “when people come together, the voice is louder and stronger.”

Join us in building a stronger, more equitable community—every contribution matters. Donate at veggielution.org/donate

12/05/2024

Over the past few years, our team has proudly distributed thousands of farm boxes across the community through our Eastside Connect program. We launch this program in the spring of 2020 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, which became a lifeline for many families. At its peak, Eastside Connect distributed over 5,000 farm boxes to families. The program officially concluded in November 2024, with its final distribution of 500 boxes.

Funded through various grants, including those provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the County of Santa Clara, California during the pandemic, Eastside Connect demonstrated the power of community-driven solutions to food insecurity. As we closed one chapter, we began another: in December 2024, we launched Del Campo a la Mesa (From Field to Table). This new program, funded by First 5, now delivers 100 farm boxes directly to families with children aged 0-5.

In addition to Del Campo a la Mesa, we’ve partnered with the California Association of Food Banks and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley to distribute 600 fresh, organic produce boxes to the broader community. These collaborations enable us to expand our reach and strengthen food access in East San Jose and beyond.

While challenges persist, our team remains steadfast in creating greater access to organic, healthy produce and advocating for stronger food security resources. Our Organizing and Advocacy team plays a key role in these efforts, working directly with community members to amplify their voices and address systemic issues.

One of our key initiatives is the Santa Clara County Resident Advisory Committee, where community members collaborate to set priorities, co-create solutions, and propose equitable and inclusive food-related policies. We believe meaningful change begins when community members are directly involved in shaping the future. Together, we can create a much greater positive impact than anyone can do alone.

By donating to Veggielution, you help sustain programs that ensure fresh, healthy food reaches those who need it most. Join us in building a stronger, more equitable community—every contribution matters. Donate at veggielution.org/donate