We have the privilege and honour to work on this land that is not ours. This is the ancestral and unceded homelands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), stó:lō (Sto:lo), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Coast Salish peoples. As settlers, as farmers, and as educators, we acknowledge the harm that farming and schooling has done to Indigenous Peoples and the land across this region. We work towards ongoing reconciliation as listeners, food sharers, and land stewards.
What is Fresh Roots?
Our schoolyard farms are the fertile ground for both delicious food and powerful learning. Founded by passionate farmers and food sharers in 2011, Fresh Roots has grown to practice and inspire not only sustainable, community-centered farming, but place-based experiential learning and youth empowerment. We provide kids and youth the space to explore what they are capable of while building deep relationships with food, the land, and each other. We provide meaningful employment experiences for the young adults we hire as farmers and educators, and prepare youth in our programs to step up into leadership positions.
We are part of an interconnected network of food growers, educators, and community members, who are working to create a just and sustainable food system. By partnering with schools and school districts, we take under-utilized land in heavily developed cities and transform it into thriving biodiverse agroecosystems. In doing so, we increase the availability of fresh local produce available to our neighbours. We also create dynamic inclusive learning spaces for people of all ages, but especially children and youth, to learn about food and the ecological and human systems that support the food we all depend on.
Our Vision
We envision resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems which support human growth and connection.
Our Mission
We cultivate educational farms and place-based programs where youth develop healthy relationships with food, land and community through growing and sharing food that nourishes themselves, their communities and the planet!
Our Core Values
Our core values are at the heart of everything we do at Fresh Roots. They are joy, community, inclusivity, empowerment and lifelong learning.
Our Beliefs
Our beliefs drive us towards our vision and direct our activities. We believe that:
- Collective action is imperative for food systems change.
- Food is a right for all people.
- Food is an inspiring and mobilizing force for good.
- Relationship building through education is the first step toward positive personal and systems change.
- Healthy food systems are dependent upon a healthy environment and empowered communities.
- How we work together is as important as the work we do.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Decolonization
We are committed to an ongoing learning journey to better foster an anti-oppression and anti-racist lens throughout our work internally and externally. As settlers, as farmers, and as educators, we acknowledge the harm that farming and schooling has done to Indigenous Peoples and the land across this region. We work towards ongoing reconciliation as listeners, food sharers, and land stewards.
Fresh Roots Learning Goals
The core of our work is fostering healthy relationships with food, land, waters and community, in our participants and ourselves. Our learning goals all support those essential relationships. As in everything, these relationships are interconnected and reflect one another!
To build a healthy relationship with food…
We make informed food choices, make healthy, delicious food and become active food citizens. That might look like:
Seeing the barriers to accessing nutritious and culturally appropriate foods that exist in my community and beyond, and working with others to overcome those barriers.
Understanding that there is no one “right” way to eat and that different people have different needs.
Planning and preparing a delicious meal that meets the needs of my community.
To build a healthy relationship with the land and waters…
We acknowledge that the land and waters support us, we support the land and waters, and honour Indigenous relationships to the land and water. That might look like:
Keeping the water, air and soil clean and healthy for the wellbeing of the plants and animals on the farm.
Caring for the farm by planting, tending to, or harvesting foods, or doing other farm chores.
Developing and expressing gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples, in Canada, and around the world, who have built strong, healthy relationships with the land and waters since time immemorial.
Learning from local Elders and Knowledge Keepers about how we can build good relationships with land.
To build a healthy relationship with community…
We feel the power of community, know that people make our food, and celebrate food and culture. That might look like:
Knowing that while my individual actions are important, large-scale change requires large-scale solutions.
Understanding that the food system is powered by people, and that many of these people face low wages and poor working conditions.
Exploring delicious foods that people eat in my own and other cultures, and showing respect when trying new things.