Magnolia Project

The first peoples choice pantry of its kind in San Diego County offers those suffering from food insecurities to choose foods that fit their dietary needs and cultural sensitivities. All at zero cost to the community. The food provided comes from a variety of sources from restaurant supply stores, grocery chains, farmers, and big box stores. All our food is rescued from ending up in landfills, where volunteers drive out in our new refrigerated truck* and another group of volunteers sort and display the goods in beautiful and tempting baskets. We provide fresh produce, meats and dairy, fresh eggs, baked goods, pet food, personal hygiene, international and alternative foods as well as canned, boxed, and baking supplies.

In addition to our free pantry we offer free cooking and nutrition classes to our commnity. Our weekly cooking classes teach simple dishes from our rotating chefs. In the past we have offered an 8 week course that combines a nutrition workshop along with a themed cooking class on Tuesdays- which is still on going as single classes. We also offer a Thursday single day class that focuses on meal prepping, using ingredients on hand, learning cuisines from around the globe, and requests from students. Students sign up for classes and are invited to join in to cook and eat a meal as a community. Many of our students love to return to learn new techniques and dishes and also recommend them to friends and family. Many have created new friendships here, found a purpose and give back by becoming volunteers at the pantry.

Our space has two areas. The front is for our "shoppers" who pick up their groceries with help and support from the volunteers. The back is our commercial kitchen where we prep and sort the donated food items. It also serves as our kitchen for classes when the pantry is closed.

Funding will allow us to continue our current classes, give a monetary stipend to chefs and instructors and introduce new cooking classes to the community. Additional funds will also allow us to broaden our area of food rescue.

View our social media accounts for past programs and Magnolia's pantry space:

Facebook: Magnolia Project

Instagram: magnolia_project11

Instagram: Project1:1

For more information, video and story on how Magnolia Project came to be, check out more information at our parent organization:

https://www.projectoneone.org/

Magnolia Project Auction Fundraiser

Free People's Pantry and Cooking Classes