Veggielution
SIZE:
6 acres
YEARS IN BUSINESS:
11 years
PRODUCTS:
150 varieties of fruits, 40 varieties of vegetables, and various herbs
MARKETS:
Fresh produce sold at farm stand; Prepared food distributed through food truck, commercial kitchen, food carts, and at educational programs
COUNTY:
Santa Clara
Veggielution was started in 2007 by three San Jose State University students who hoped to create community through farming and food. Initially they grew food in the front and backyards of homes around the University. Then in 2008, Veggielution moved to half an acre of land at the City of San Jose’s Emma Prusch Park, where the farm has since expanded to 6 acres.
Like many other farming nonprofits, Veggielution sees growing food as a way to achieve broader social goals. Veggielution’s mission is “to connect people from diverse backgrounds through food and farming to build community in East San Jose.” As a result, engaging the community is at the heart of the programming that Veggielution offers. Veggielution hosts volunteer programing and a farm stand every Saturday of the month.
On the first Saturday of each month, Veggielution holds its Community Engagement Farm Day, where attendees can participate in farm tasks, cooking classes, yoga, and kids’ activities.
Veggielution also works with local food system advocates through its Eastside Grown program, which provides resources, assistance, and the opportunity for participants to advocate for the changes they want to see in the food system. Another program, Eastside Explorers, offers field trips to middle schoolers in East San Jose, who visit the farm to learn about agriculture, cooking and nutrition, and the local environment.
Profiled by the Santa Clara County Food System Alliance in their Small Farms, Big Potential report from 2020.
“Our mission is to connect people from diverse backgrounds through food and farming to build community in east San Jose.”