Seeds of Change Mobile Garden Truck (Photo courtesy of Seeds of Change)
My final resolution for the month and for my financial goals is to seek out companies who give back. Choosing to purchase from companies such as these can help to benefit non-profit programs and encourage community building. One such company is Seeds of Change. We have been patrons of Seeds of Change for a few years. They are a fantastic resource for organic seeds and their food line includes our favorite version of Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce
Recently, Seeds of Change awarded 12 $10,000 grants to community and school gardens across the nation. Recipients were selected from more than 13,000 applicants. When I asked what set them apart, an executive answered, “The 12 Share the Good grant recipients stood out in their dedication to food education and making an impact in their community. All of the programs innovatively expressed how they teach people where their food comes from and effectively built a connection between the journey from seed to plate. In addition they showed how their program would positively and measurably tie its activities and impact to the community to make a difference.”
The following programs were awarded the grants: Geneva Elementary School (Geneva, FL), Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (Hoboken, NJ), Hunters Point Family/GIRLS 2000 (San Francisco, CA), San Elijo Elementary School “Eagle’s Outlook Garden” (San Marcos, CA), Green Malden Community Garden (Somerville, MA), PS 90’s YWCA Garden (Brooklyn, NY), Henderson Independent High School (Salisbury, NC), Urban Farm Collective (Portland, OR), genHkids Coalition Healthy Seeds Garden Program (Springfield, IL), Saint Claire Evans Academy (Jacksonville, FL), Pelion Community Garden at City Honors School (Buffalo, NY), and Ochoa Peace Garden at Ochoa Elementary School (Tucson, AZ).
Several of the gardens will not only be growing their food, but also incorporating cooking into their programs. One such example is Henderson High, which has a culinary curriculum and will be using their harvest in their classrooms. In addition, many of the gardens will be using organic practices in order to teach students and community members about sustainable practices.
We are living in an age where teaching kids where their food comes from has become so important. So, with a program like this, I can feel good reaching for another Tikka Masala jar on the supermarket shelf and choosing to order our seeds from a company such as this.
What companies do you support that have great give back programs? If you have any financial goals for 2013, please feel free to link up the linky. Thanks to everyone who has joined the hop this month! It has been a great way to organize my goals and write daily here on Crafty Garden Mama.
***Congrats to Alix who is our Green Resolutions Giveaway Winner!***
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links that help me support more programs like this one.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
My shopping goals since before Christmas have been to buy from small personal shops. I bought most of my Christmas gifts from Etsy shops. I love knowing that my money is going directly to the people who make the items not a big box store.
I love shopping with Etsy for those reasons too.
I love working with companies who give back also! I like to shop small business and it is even better when it’s a company that gives back to the community! I feel like I’m helping out just by making a purchase!
It’s encouraging to know that they are thinking locally and globally.
I think it’s wonderful when businesses give back to the community. I think smaller businesses in general tend to give back to the community in a personal way and I love seeing that happen.
We try to shop locally as much as possible. It’s great to see national companies promoting strong local gardens.
I love supporting companies that aren’t in it just for the money but also support community and give back. I love Seeds of Change and they not only offer high quality but awesome people behind the company!
It’s always nice to find a company that you can believe in because of its intentions and actions.
Seeds of Change sounds like a fantastic resource. I do love supporting Etsy shops and it’s a nice bonus when I find one that donates a portion back to a good cause.
They are great, Alissa! We have gotten great foods out of their seeds.
Great post, I have always supported local businesses…they seem to help out local schools and community as much as they can. I like the idea of looking for the large companies who give back…thanks for the inspiration.
My pleasure, Colleen. I have a few more companies like this to share over the next few months.
I love hearing about companies that give back to the community. So cool that a high school is growing and cooking its own food.
Yes, many of the programs have cooking curricula and it’s great to see kids taking their food from the garden to the kitchen.
I love that they are supporting school gardens!
Yes, it is a great step forward for today’s kids.
It’s a struggle for me on every purpose between getting the best deal and paying a fair price so people can receive an honest wage. Last night I was at a talk about hunger (food insecurity) that put part of the problem on the minimum wage being so low. Made me feel better about the bar shampoo I’d paid about 50% more for earlier in the day that was from a regional site with good values vs. a bigger source that would have been cheaper.
It is a struggle, EcoDad, but it’s good to know that there are companies out there who are looking to make a difference.
I love supporting people and companies that support others. Finding ethical choices, for me, isn’t easy, but it’s worth the hassle. <3
I always find that the hard work to find companies like this are worth it.
What a great cause!
It is and so essential for everyone!
Thanks for sharing this! I just signed up for their catalog :). Can’t wait to shop for my spring seeds!
Our local Wegmans has carried them in the past too. Be sure to check out the food line too. Our Whole Foods carries it.
What a great way to focus on a company. I’m all about local & green, but giving back is such a positive thing. I’ll definitely look into things like this MORE!!
Glad that I could help, Krystyna!