Our Path Forward
The Center for Food Education
The Center for Food Education will anchor Jones Valley Teaching Farm’s work and create a dynamic community hub that will allow us to reach more students, teachers, and community members than ever before. The Center will position Birmingham as a national leader and model for food-based education and workforce development.
The Impact
The Center for Food Education will increase our capacity to serve our community and will be home to:
- Daily field trips and Good School Food instruction for more students
- Community gardening and culinary programming
- Professional development and training for educators
- Increased employment opportunities for graduates of Birmingham City Schools
Ready To Grow
“Using food as a platform to educate, develop workforce readiness, provide economic opportunities, andunite communities is a deeply inspiring endeavor. Jones Valley Teaching Farm is truly changing lives through food and the Ready to Grow campaign is essential to expanding their impact. I am humbled to partner with corporate and civic leaders to create a permanent space to deliver their mission.” – Nick Willis, Greater Alabama Regional President, PNC Bank, Ready to Grow Campaign Co-Chair, and JVTF Board Member.
The Ready to Grow campaign will publicly launch in 2021 and allow members of the Birmingham community and beyond a chance to support this flagship learning center.
We are grateful to our Campaign Co-Chairs Pardis Stitt, co-owner Bottega, Highlands Bar & Grill, Chez Fonfon, and Bottega Café; and Nick Willis, Greater Alabama Regional President, PNC Bank; our Steering and Major Gifts Committees and the many partners that have already invested in the $7.58 million campaign to build the Center for Food Education.
For more information please contact Nicole Carpenter, Director of Development, at nicole@jvtf.org.