Farm to Corrections Cultivating Justice through Nutrition and Gardening Initiatives

In this webinar recording, explore innovative initiatives by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in collaboration with the Nutrition Policy Institute and Impact Justice, including a 'Harvest of the Month' program to increase access to fresh, locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables and trauma-informed nutrition workshops. Uncover the impact of the University of California’s Master Gardener's projects on rehabilitation and workforce development.
Talk 1 - Produce during and after prison: Increasing justice-impacted individuals’ access to CA-grown produce and nutrition education, with speakers Carolyn Chelius, Heile Gantan, Lance Eshelman:
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is the single largest public purchaser of food in the state and is charged with feeding and maintaining the well-being of nearly 100,000 incarcerated individuals. Despite the abundance of agricultural production in California, there remain untapped opportunities for increasing the amount and variety of California-grown fruits and vegetables-particularly fresh, local items-served to incarcerated people. There is also a need for nutrition education among individuals recently released from prison. In this presentation, we will discuss two innovative efforts to increase access to CA-grown produce and increase nutrition education among currently and formerly incarcerated individuals in California-a “Harvest of the Month” program in CDCR facilities, and peer-facilitated, trauma-informed nutrition education workshops conducted with formerly incarcerated individuals across California.
Talk 2 - Master Gardeners Prison Gardens Projects, with Missy Gable:
Gardening plays an important role in the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals. This presentation will focus on volunteer-led projects within the UC Master Gardener Program to bring gardening, garden based education, and workforce development to incarcerated people. Together, we’ll touch on the therapeutic benefits of horticulture and the impact of gardening education on recidivism.
This webinar recording is the second part of a two-part webinar series on Sustainable Food Systems Emerging Issues. The series was hosted by the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative Panel.