The Ceres culinary program is managed by chef Annie Simmons, above. At far left, volunteers help get nutritious meals ready for delivery to clients and their families.
can see how theymake a difference. They feel empowered by knowing that harvesting 80 cups of carrots means that 80 families are getting nutritional food. It’s one reason why they stay with the program for as long as they do,” she said. “We ask for a three-month commitment, but several volunteers have worked here for years.” Teen volunteers learn about soil health, food systems and nutrition. Some help lead community workshops, while others go on to pursue policy work. One of those with an eye on influencing public policy is Glynna Nathan, an 18-year-old teen leader and board member at Ceres who has volunteered in the Sebastopol garden since the summer of her freshman year. Now a high school senior, Nathan has logged nearly 500 volunteer hours in both the Ceres kitchen and garden. “Initially, I wanted to learn how to cook and garden in a constructive environment and put my time into the communit y,” sa id Nathan, who lea rned about community advocacy in the process. Looking forward to college, Nathan said she hopes to study public policy and advocate for healthy meals being covered as a medical benefit for those who are ill.
Partners for healthy communities CEO Couch has helped lead that policy effort on local, state and federal levels. She and her team have trained and supported organizations in California and across the country to replicate the Ceres model. “Food needs to be integrated into how we think of health care. Patients fare better and health care costs are lower when hea lthy food is tai lored to meet the nutritional needs of patients,” she said. Looking back, Couch said that what began as an individual gesture—teaching the daughter of a friend to cook—has evolved into a community focused on making a difference for future generations. “It’s been a great journey,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about youth development and health care policies, and I work with such amazing people. “Ceres has been incredibly blessed,” Couch said. “The support fromour community of donors, volunteers and partners has allowed us to do this work.”
Jolaine Collins cbmagazine@californiabountiful.com
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March/April 2022
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