Why We Do It

Louisville faces extreme health disparities and inequities with the burden of multidimensional poverty and food insecurity disproportionately impacting residents of color in underserved South and West Louisville neighborhoods. The Food Literacy Project cultivates a new generation of leaders to increase fresh food access and build our community’s capacity to embrace health and wellness, justice, and equity. We help young people discover their power so they can become drivers of community and food system transformation.

How We Do It

The Food Literacy Project employs a holistic approach to address the root causes of hunger and food insecurity through high-quality, life-changing, field-to-fork programs, and food access initiatives. We provide opportunities for youth, families and community members to farm, cook, break bread, communicate, lead, and activate change together, directly impacting their experience of place and relationships within the food system – as well as their taste buds, health, sense of community, and ability to succeed.

With your support, we will expand food and nutrition service-learning programs, youth employment programs, fresh food access initiatives, and food literacy through hands-on education and community engagement experiences in south Louisville. These experiences are imprinted in the lives of young people and their families, as their new knowledge ripples throughout their communities to create healthy neighborhoods that thrive.

The Food Literacy Project

Youth transforming their communities through food, farming and the land.

Gather for the Garden 2026: The Rooted Edition