Organization: GROWGOOD INC
Mission: SEE SCHEDULE O.
Activities: FOOD/SOCIAL ENTERPRISEGROWGOOD CULTIVATES THE FARM, WHICH CONSISTS OF AN ORCHARD OF MORE THAN 70 FRUIT TREES, 14 RAISED VEGETABLE GARDEN BEDS, A CHICKEN COOP, A COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE, AND A CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT GARDEN FILLED WITH FLOWERING, DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS-ALL OUTFITTED WITH A STATE-OF THE ART NETAFIM DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM.IN 2019, GROWGOOD HARVESTED MORE THAN 9,000 POUNDS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITH A MARKET VALUE OF OVER $24,000 TO FEED SHELTER RESIDENTS (CON SCH O).ON THE JOB CREATION FRONT, GROWGOOD PROVIDED PAID THREE-MONTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR 13 SHELTER RESIDENTS ON THE FARM THROUGH OUR TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES JOB TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE FOR OBTAINING FUTURE EMPLOYMENT FOR GRADUATES.GROWGOOD'S CLIMATE-CONTROLLED GREENHOUSE IS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL. THE GREENHOUSE ALLOWS US TO GROW MORE FOOD, EMPLOY MORE RESIDENTS, AND ENABLES OUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE BUSINESS TO GENERATE INCOME FORM LOS ANGELES RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES. IT ALLOWS FOR YEAR-ROUND PRODUCTION AND PREPARATION OF MICROGREENS, HERBS, FLOWERS, AND VEGETABLES. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HOMELESS, GROWGOOD PLANS TO INCREASE INCOME FOR THE ORGANIZATION THROUGH THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PROJECT.
CULINARYGROWGOOD IN 2018 BEGAN A CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM THAT TRAINS RESIDENTS CULINARY SKILLS NECESSARY TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY. USING THE FARM TO HARVEST, AND THE SHELTER KITCHEN IS THEIR LABORATORY THEY PREPARE INGREDIENTS AND DISHES FOR PEOPLE WHO EAT IN THE DINING HALL. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BOTH A CHEF AND INSTRUCTOR, 37 STUDENTS BEGAN THE 12-WEEK PROGRAM; MORE THAN 2/3RD HAVE GRADUATED, AND SEVERAL HAVE FOUND MEANINGFUL JOBS IN LOS ANGELES.
THERAPY:GROWGOOD OFFERS FOOD FOR LIFE SKILLS CLASSES TWICE A WEEK FOR CLIENTS ENROLLED IN THE SHELTER'S ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM. DURING 2019, EACH WORKSHOP HOSTED AN AVERAGE OF 15-20 CLIENTS, MORE THAN HALF OF WHOM ARE VETERANS. THE CLASSES FOCUS ON NATURE STUDY, EXERCISE, BODY-MIND CONNECTION, STRESS MANAGEMENT, NUTRITION, AND MORE.
NTEE category: Food, Agriculture & Nutrition
Secondary category: Human Services