Pima JTED’s Seed to Table Project has been awarded a $5,600 grant from Bayer Fund to support a transformative, student-led initiative focused on sustainable food systems, health, and community well-being.
When students return from Spring Break on March 23, they will begin turning the JTED @ Bridges campus into a hands-on learning hub through the creation and maintenance of a fully functional teaching garden.
The project integrates the Culinary Arts, Medical Assistant, and Construction programs, empowering students to grow fresh produce and prepare nutritious meals designed for high-risk populations living with chronic disease and food insecurity.
“We were guided by the essential question, ‘How can we design and sustain a food system that nourishes people and communities?’” said Beth Francis, RN, JTED’s Program Manager for Health Professions. “Students will design, build, and sustain a living laboratory where sustainability and health improvement converge.”
Culinary students will bring their work to life from garden to table, while health science students will educate community members on how they can help treat and prevent illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Together, they will explore how sustainability extends beyond the environment—into education, culture, and community.
The need for this work is clear. Nationwide, 56% of children and adolescents consume diets of poor nutritional quality, and fewer than 60% of high school students eat fruits or vegetables daily. In Arizona, 13.1% of residents experienced food insecurity in 2022. Research shows garden-enhanced nutrition education improves knowledge and attitudes toward healthy eating, increases self-confidence, reduces stress, and supports cognitive functioning. Community-based garden and cooking programs also strengthen social connection and promote food equity.
Through community showcases and outreach events, Pima JTED students will serve as nutrition ambassadors, extending healthy food education beyond the classroom and into the broader community.
Pima JTED Superintendent and CEO Kathy Prather said, “We are grateful Bayer Fund is supporting the Seed to Table initiative. This reflects Pima JTED’s commitment to hands-on, project-based learning that prepares students not only for careers, but for meaningful leadership in their communities.” Last year, The Bayer Fund provided Pima JTED a $10,000 grant for hydroponic gardens that are being used by the Culinary Arts program to produce fresh and nutritious food.
About Bayer Fund
Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing philanthropic support.
