Dig into how Farming Hope is shaping dreams & changing lives through our mission, food, and people with @cbsnews Bay Area Reporter Itay Hod.
Itay stopped by to chat with Co-Executive Director Kerry Rodgers & Cook Trainer Devon Jordan McFeely (and his food!).
Read the full story by using the link in our bio.
We’d like to take a moment to introduce our community to our new Culinary Director DJ Hollister.
Chef DJ grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and appreciates that working with Farming Hope means he will be directly supporting folks who are in need.
“It has been such a pleasure getting to know the Farming Hope community and supporters, and getting the opportunity to build off the legacy of Culinary Director Phil and Interim Director Michelle. Farming Hope would not be here without its dedicated and committed community, and I look forward to meeting the rest of you when you stop by to either volunteer, join us for a pop-up guest chef dinner, or any other of our mission oriented events!”
More about Chef DJ?
Chef DJ studied culinary arts at Laney College in Oakland. His biggest culinary inspiration was his dad who introduced him to different foods at a young age, like pickled pig feet and hog head cheese. Chef DJ was most recently the Kitchen Manager at the Black Cat Jazz and Supper Club and prior to that was the Executive Chef at Farmer Brown, both located nearby in the Tenderloin. Feel free to read more about Culinary Director DJ by using the link in our bio.
Did you see the paper yesterday? You might have seen Co-Executive Director Andie Sobrepeña and Cook Trainer Devon Jordan McFeely (and his food!) featured prominently. Journalist Greg Wong from the SF Examiner visited us last week and we’re proud to share his piece on us with our community!
Read the SF Examiner piece on Farming Hope by using the link in our bio.
“We want to make sure our graduates and apprentices feel embraced by their co-workers and their community, as they’re serving their community and being served by them,” co-executive director Andie Sobrepeña told The Examiner. “Folks that we have in our program are usually the last people called back for jobs; they are hungry for food security and social connection. Those are the barriers we try to remove with our program.”
We believe that neither food nor human potential should go to waste.
That is why here at Farming Hope, we’re intentional about all the inputs that go into our work, deeply comprehending that our food system (like our orgs roots) works from literal farm to table.
We’re not just making sure that perfectly good produce doesn’t get tossed out, we’re also making sure that the labor, water, and energy that went into its creation is valued. Americans waste on average 30-40% of our food supply, and during the holiday season that is even higher. At Farming Hope, we’re working to change that at every level from rescuing waste to using root-to-stem cooking techniques.
Your generosity helps make that work possible, please join as a supporter today! Every dollar goes directly to creating a sustainable, inclusive food system that works for everyone.
Giving Tuesday is today! Please consider supporting Farming Hope today during Giving Tuesday and throughout the giving season by using the link in our bio to support our work.
Your support directly contributes to our ability to empower & elevate 40+ Apprentices per year to life-sustaining employment so they are able to support themselves and their families.
Your support also directly bolsters our capacity to feed the 1 in 7 San Franciscan’s who are food insecure in addition to rescuing 23,000 lbs of “misfit” produce from going to waste.
#sanfrancisco #nonprofit #givingtuesday
We are excited to share that we have reached our fundraising goal for our very first Hope Feast - Eat Your Scraps! Competition. It was such a joy to watch our Apprentices working & learning from local Bay Area Chefs. We sent 8 chefs a box of imperfect or close to the sell by date produce that would have otherwise gone to waste. They incorporated the produce into delicious bites that our guests and judges tasted and voted on their favorites.
We’ve got some serious appreciation and gratitude for the way our community of support came together last week - from our dedicated & committed volunteers, our wonderful sponsors like Pilot Light Consulting, Bon Appetit Management Company, and Tidewater Capital, to our chef partners who share our values of diversity, sustainability, and inclusivity in the culinary industry. We could not have done this without you.
Give us a hand in congratulations to our very first Eat Your Scraps! Competition Judge’s Choice inner Chef Kitty Ditpare of Kitiya Thai Eats @kitiya_thai & our very first Peoples’ Choice winner Chef Michelle Minori @michelleminori
Every single cent raised is going directly toward our current & future Apprentices` dreams of economic empowerment and feeding 1 in 7 San Franciscans who are food insecure.
Looking to keep up with our chefs & judges after Hope Feast? Check out their pages below!
-Chef Patrick Collins - International Smoke - @internationalsmoke
-Chef Michelle Minori - Michelle Minori / Farming Hope @michelleminori
-Chef Kitty Ditpare - Kitiya Thai Eats @kitiya_thai
-Chef Lilian Duran - Clandestina
-Cocina @clandestina.cocina
-Chef Randy Wilkes - Google Culinary
-Chef Shawn Nabuti - @prubechusf
-Chef Fernay McPherson - Minnie Bells - @minnie_bells
-Chef Mike Chapter - Food IQ @sfchefmike
-Mixologist Christopher Parks - Tanqueray @tanquerayusa
-Mixologist Ally Afortunado - Starward Whisky @starwardwhisky
-Judge Shakirah S. - Booker T Washington @btwcscsanfrancisco
-Judge Adrienne - Food Influencer @willwanderforfood
-Judge Sherry Shi - Food Influencer @sherryeatworld
-Judge Carolyn Lasar - SF Produce Market @thesfmarket
-Judge’s Celia & Sarah from Omnivore Books @omnivorebook
Still dreaming of last week`s Pop-Up Guest Chef Dinner with Piccino!
These evenings are more than just indulging in an amazing meal; they are an opportunity for our Apprentices to learn from the absolute best in the hospitality and culinary industry.
Check out some highlights!
Tickets are available now for our Hope Feast on November 11th. Enjoy delicious, sustainable bites from local chefs and vote on your favorite in the first ever Eat Your Scraps competition! Tickets are linked in our bio!
@piccinosf @barpiccino @piccinocoffeebar #sanfrancisco #sf #nonprofit
We can hardly contain our excitement! 🍽️ Join us on October 5th from 7 to 9 PM as Executive Chef Daniella Banchero of Piccino Restaurant takes the stage at Refettorio SF.
Tickets are now live - grab yours today to savor an incredible meal for a great cause.
Your support makes a difference in the lives of our apprentices and supports our values of inclusivity, food access, and sustainability in the culinary industry. Plus, each ticket includes a $100 tax-deductible donation to Farming Hope. Don’t miss out! 💪🌟 #GuestChefSeries #RefettorioSF
Mark your calendars for November 11th from 6 PM to 9 PM & join us at Refettorio for our Inaugural Hope Feast: `Eat Your Scraps` Fundraiser - an extraordinary recovered food competition you won`t want to miss! 🍽️🥕 Let`s celebrate sustainable dining together! Love this idea and want to sponsor it? DM us!🌱 #HopeFeast #SustainableDining #FoodCompetition
We`d like to take a moment to honor and acknowledge the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month," as we reflect on the profound impact of the Hispanic community within Farming Hope and our broader global community.
At Farming Hope, we recognize that our organization flourishes because of the invaluable contributions, unwavering dedication, and boundless commitment of the Hispanics who are an integral part of our family. Their vibrant traditions, delicious cuisine, inspiring stories, and vibrant spirit infuse our work with vitality and diversity.
Throughout this month-long celebration, we invite you to join us in commemorating the enduring legacy of Hispanic Americans, who have left an indelible mark on the fabric of our society. As celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let us unite in appreciation and admiration for the Hispanic community`s enduring influence, resilience, and enduring contributions that continue to shape our world.
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening! Join us on October 5th, 2023, at Farming Hope`s Refettorio for a Pop-Up Guest Chef Dinner featuring Executive Chef Daniella Banchero of Piccino Restaurant. 🍽️🍷 Let`s savor exquisite cuisine and celebrate community. See you there! Tickets are linked in our bio!
Through this event, our Apprentices have the incredible opportunity to work alongside top Bay Area chefs, learning and growing under their guidance. By purchasing a ticket to this dinner, you directly contribute to the dreams of our Apprentices` economic empowerment.
Throwback to last week’s Pop-Up Guest Chef Dinner with Nelson German from Oakland`s alaMar Restaurant and Sobre Mesa Bar! 🍽️💫 These evenings are about more than just delicious food; they`re a chance for our apprentices to learn and grow professionally. Grateful to @alamaroakland and @sobremesaoak for making it happen. Get your tickets for our last Pop-Up Dinner of the year on October 5th (linked in bio) —don`t miss out! 🎟️👨🍳 #SanFrancisco #CommunitySupport #ProfessionalDevelopment
Serving up some Steak Ginger Scallion Noodles for our partners & friends at Urban Alchemy! 🍜💚 It`s all about supporting fellow San Franciscans who are food-insecure.
@urbanalchemyua #FoodInsecurity #SanFrancisco #SupportingOurCity
Introducing the Pomegranate Cohort! 🌱 They`re already blossoming after just one week 🥕!
#ChangingLives #socialgood #changemakers #empoweringcommunities #nonprofitorganization #buildingbetterfutures
Check out the menu for Sept 7th’s Pop-Up Guest Chef Dinner with Chef Nelson German from Oakland’s alaMar Kitchen & Sobre Mesa!
Chef Nelson garnered national recognition for his cuisine and was a contestant on Bravo`s Top Chef Season 18 in Portland. Drawing inspiration from his Afro-Dominican roots, Chef Nelson crafts exquisite menus that celebrate his rich cultural heritage. Each dish tells a story, invoking a sense of nostalgia and a connection to his upbringing.
The Guest Chef Series at Farming Hope`s Refettorio San Francisco highlights local chefs who embody our shared values of inclusivity in the workplace, food access, and sustainability. Through this event, our Apprentices have the incredible opportunity to work alongside top Bay Area chefs, learning and growing under their guidance. By purchasing a ticket to this dinner, you directly contribute to the dreams of our Apprentices` economic empowerment.
Tickets are linked in our bio!
#FarmingHope #ChangingLives #CommunityImpact #ChangingLives #socialgood #changemakers #empoweringcommunities #nonprofitorganization #inspirechange #socialgood #donatetoday #buildingbetterfutures
We’d like to take a moment to honor Farmworker Appreciation Day 🥕🌽🥑
Farming Hope provides over 100,000 pounds of fresh groceries and over 50,000 hot meals per year to neighbors in need. ALL from crops produced by California farmworkers.
We also recover over 20,000 pounds of food per year that would otherwise go to landfill, ensuring that these products of farmworker labor don’t go to waste. None of this would be possible without the labor and dedication of our agricultural workers who plant, tend,
and harvest our food.
California farm workers help produce over 350 commodities, including 1/3 of the nation`s vegetables and nearly 2/3 of the nations fruits and nuts.
Between 1/3 and 1/2 of all farmworkers in America reside in California.
Many of them are excluded from federal minimum wage laws and other labor protections, including overtime pay, sick time, worker`s compensation, and more.
To all our farmworkers - we see you, we hear you, we are indebted to you and your commitment to feeding us.
Food Justice IS Farmworker Justice.
🎉We are thrilled to share that our “Plum” Apprentice cohort graduated from our 12-week culinary job training program!
This exceptional group has worked hard to overcome countless personal challenges and hurdles to achieve growth, professional development, and skills that will last a lifetime. Please join us in congratulating them on this incredible milestone, and wish them luck in their careers!
This cohort joined us during a huge transition – we scaled our meal distribution operations from 5 days a week to 7 days a week to feed more of our fellow San Franciscans in need of nutritious, wholesome meals.
During their 12 weeks with us, each Apprentice left their mark on Farming Hope. They showcased their dedication and commitment at Guest Chef Dinners, working and contributing to private events, hosting, cooking, and serving for two remarkable Apprentice-led dinners, and leading our Wednesday night community dinners and weekly grocery distributions. Their efforts combined resulted in over 30,000 meals cooked for food-insecure neighbors. Hats off to our Plum Cohort!
#FarmingHope #ChangingLives #CommunityImpact #ChangingLives #socialgood #changemakers #empoweringcommunities #nonprofitorganization #inspirechange #socialgood #donatetoday #buildingbetterfutures
Join us on Sept. 7 from 7-9pm PT as we welcome the esteemed Nelson German to showcase his passion for African and Caribbean diasporas through the vibrant flavors of his award-winning restaurants, alaMar Kitchen & Bar and Sobre Mesa, in Oakland, California.
Chef Nelson garnered national recognition for his cuisine and was a contestant on Bravo`s Top Chef Season 18 in Portland. Drawing inspiration from his Afro-Dominican roots, Chef Nelson crafts exquisite menus that celebrate his rich cultural heritage. Each dish tells a story, invoking a sense of nostalgia and a connection to his upbringing.
The Guest Chef Series at Farming Hope`s Refettorio San Francisco highlights local chefs who embody our shared values of inclusivity in the workplace, food access, and sustainability. Through this event, our Apprentices have the incredible opportunity to work alongside top Bay Area chefs, learning and growing under their guidance. By purchasing a ticket to this dinner, you directly contribute to the dreams of our Apprentices` economic empowerment.
@chefnel4 @alamaroakland @sobremesaoak
#popupdinner #nonprofit #sanfrancisco #changinglives #communityimpact #changemakers #inspirechange #nonprofitorganization #socialgood #donatetoday #buildingbetterfutures #finedinning #sanfranciscofood #sanfrancisco #sf
Remember in 2016 when SF voters passed the Soda Tax? Today, Farming Hope transforms that funding into wholesome meals and groceries for food-insecure families. Nourishing our neighbors with delicious, fresh foods helps families thrive.
#SFsodatax #yourtaxdollarsatwork #feeditforward #FarmingHope #ChangingLives #CommunityImpact #ChangingLives #socialgood #changemakers #empoweringcommunities #nonprofitorganization #inspirechange #socialgood #donatetoday #buildingbetterfutures
🥕 🎉 It has been a year since our Co-Executive Directors Andie & Kerry have been at the helm of Farming Hope, guiding our mission to new heights of intentionality and impact! Check out some of the things they’ve helped to accomplish in the past year…
1. Grown our Apprenticeship program from 19 folks a year to over 35! All while maintaining a nearly 90% graduation rate.
2. Secured a long-term home for our work at 690 Van Ness, a building twice the size of our previous location, allowing us to seize new opportunities and serve more people than ever.
3. Like culinary magicians they have scaled our meal distribution operations - we are now churning out 2600 meals a week!
4. Worked with fellow FAACTS coalition members to secure $30M in city funding for food security programs in San Francisco, helping to feed San Franciscans in need.
To Andie & Kerry, our architects of hope, your leadership is a beacon, a reminder that even in a world marred by uncertainty, there are those who rise, who uplift, and who transform. Your unwavering dedication has etched a new chapter of growth and impact for Farming Hope. Thank you!
#FarmingHope #ChangingLives #CommunityImpact #ChangingLives #socialgood #changemakers #empoweringcommunities #nonprofitorganization #inspirechange #socialgood #donatetoday #buildingbetterfutures
