The Full Story
It all started with a simple school lunch.
Stories are a powerful thing. They can make us laugh, cry, move mountains, and speak to our inner superhero. That's how Independence Gardens started; a story about a simple school lunch.
Mission
To provide all children—especially those in underserved communities—access to fresh food and empower them through nutrition education, leadership development, and innovative solutions that address food insecurity, health equity, and climate impact.
#freshfood4all
Vision
To cultivate a generation of leaders who transform their communities through access to fresh food, health equity, and sustainable innovation—beginning with every one of the 64,311 elementary schools across the U.S., because schools are the heart of communities.
Core Values
Equity First
We believe every child deserves access to fresh food and the opportunity to thrive—regardless of zip code.
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Leadership at Every Level
We cultivate young leaders by empowering them to take action, innovate, and influence change in their communities.
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Innovation for Impact
We champion creative, scalable solutions to tackle food insecurity, health disparities, and climate challenges.
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Community Roots
We work with schools, families, and local partners—because real change grows from the ground up.
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Education in Action
We integrate hands-on learning with real-world application to build skills, confidence, and awareness.
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Collaboration Over Competition
We unite organizations, businesses, and individuals to maximize collective impact.