A Look Into This Year's Youth Program
Updated: 4 days ago
Our third summer of hosting young environmental stewards has come to an end. This year, we embarked on a new journey; an Urban Sustainability Youth Culinary Program! While our programs have always revolved around learning about our local food systems, this is the first time we take a deeper dive into how to prep and cook our food. Youth ages 14-15 from across the City met local farmers, growers, beekeepers, artists, and community partners over the course of 6 weeks. Friendships were made and interests piqued as these young teens explored working in indoor and outdoor gardens, caring for chickens, maintaining aquaponic systems, growing mushrooms -- all while connecting with local farmers, beekeepers, chefs, and community organizers.
Every week ended with a meal the students cook together using not only store bought ingredients, but food they've grown themselves. By the end of the program, students left with real hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of how their food, their environment, and their community are all connected; along with the confidence to do something about it.
Summer of 2026 Youth Cohort (& program facilitators)!
What are some of the recipes they've explored this summer?
We were so grateful to have the support of local chefs like Harold Chapman! The group made a delicious chicken skewers with an Afro-Latin fusion! Pickling red onions in hibiscus tea, and pairing the meal with a tangy aji verde. We intentionally sought to work with partners from the south and southwest sides of the city, many of whom are vendors in our retail space, growers who utilize our Indoor Victory Garden, and local community residents and organizers. This diverse set of guests came in to show us that practicing circularity can look differently in their respective fields.
Harold and youth marinating chicken.
Teens didn't just stay in the kitche this summer, they took a couple of field trips to different partner sites nearby such as Su Casa Liberation Landing, Cedillo's Fresh Produce, Free Street Theater's Storefront, Swap-o-Rama, and more! Getting to learn directly from experts and practicioners is something we intentionally plan for. Teens learned about local mutual aid efforts, hyper-local farms, community outreach, and even got to learn about bees and made their own beeswax candles with Oscar from Bee-Utiful Honey & Candles!
We're so appreciative of ASM teens' enthusiasm to learn more about circular economies and food! As always, this successful program couldn't have been possible without the support of our partners, friends, and colleagues, special thank you to After School Matters Staff for all of their support and guidance!
Meet the two young women that helped coordinate and facilitate this year's program with Tom Knapp.
📸 Pictures by 2026 Digital Content Specialist, Phoenix Arana,
