Program Overview
In 2019, 34.9 percent of households with incomes below the Federal poverty line were food insecure. Food insecurity was more common in both large cities and rural areas then in suburban areas. Over the next three years, Honor Humanity will begin tackling food insecurity in Acres Homes by creating a 3 phase program to educate community members on the benefits of eating and growing nutritional produce.
Phase One
Phase 1 consists of four 90 minute courses with an emphasis on educating the attendees on how to the nutritional benefits of growing fresh produce. They will be given indoor gardening kits that will assist them in learning the basics of growing their own vegetables.
Phase Two
Phase 2 consists of four 90 minute courses with an emphasis on educating attendees on community gardening and the best ways to cook produce to maximize its nutritional value. Attendees will tend to the fruit trees and vegetables planted in the community garden to gain gardening experience.
Phase Three
Phase 3 consists of developing a co-operative store in the Acres Homes community to sell the produce the attendees grow in the gardens. We will purchase land or apply for grants to build this store. We will employ returning citizens and students to manage the store with Acres Homes residents trading work hours for produce.
Program Timeline
June 2023
Phase One
Phase One
Group One begins their four course program, meeting every other week.
August 2023
Phase Two
Phase Two
Group Two begins their four course program, meeting every other week.
October 2023
Dinner Party
Dinner Party
Bringing the two groups together to cook and eat the produce they’ve grown and nurtured. A celebration of living a healthy lifestyle!
Program Goals
Educate the residents of Acres Homes on the nutritional benefits of fresh produce.
Provide the residents of Acres Homes the knowledge and ability to grow their own produce.
Create a co-operative store to provide employment opportunities for returning citizens and young people of Acres Homes.
Serve as a safe space and learning center for the young people of Acres Homes to explore careers in culinary fields while improving their overall wellness.
Honor Humanity’s SEEDS Program in Acres Homes is supported by Be Well™ Acres Homes, an initiative of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.