The Mollen Foundation integrates standard-aligned food education across core academic subjects during the school day at Title 1 schools. We aim to teach students about growing and cooking healthy meals while alleviated daily stressors through mindfulness.
At the Mollen Foundation, our approach is to facilitate learning in such a way that students know their unique contribution and share it with others. Our school programs transcend beyond the garden and kitchen to teach essential life skills, empowering students to develop healthy connections to food, themselves, and others.
Learning is brought to life through hands-on scientific investigations in the garden with relevant food history enriching each lesson. Once students grow and harvest seasonal produce, they work collaboratively in the kitchen to cook and share meals together. Our programs result in improved critical thinking and conflict resolution skills, increased attendance, and reduced behavioral referrals.
“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart.”
-Cesar Chavez
Located in the historic Garfield neighborhood in downtown Phoenix, Garfield’s Garden on the Corner is open to students and neighborhood residents to become empowered with essential and culturally appropriate skills of self-sufficiency to transform their current behaviors to healthier, life-long habits.
The garden is a great resource providing the school and community opportunities to learn life skills which include growing and harvesting food, as well as learning to work together to create and share meals.
The “Food and Fitness Challenge” is a campaign run by student sustainability officers which challenges students to engage in healthy habits. Students compete with different schools by posting, liking and sharing on social media about their involvement in healthy behaviors. They share their favorite healthy foods, exercises and stress relievers. The final competition results in funding to the winning school for use on healthy habits of their choice.
Our mentorship program allows students to engage their leadership skills to teach other students about growing, harvesting and cooking healthy meals.
The Mollen Foundation promotes a shared use model for schools and communities to have safe, accessible areas to gather, plant, and play. Shared-use refers to school campuses that open their facilities for community use after the school day ends.
Joining us on a community day? Our community programs are open to residents living and working in the neighborhood. Community days increase access and affordability to fresh, nutrient-dense food through meaningful learning experiences. The communities increased knowledge and practical understanding of healthy food allows them to make improved choices which will impact their overall health and the sustainability of a healthy food system.
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members."
-Coretta Scott King
The community seed bank offers over 200 varieties of desert adapted vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seeds. Join us on a community day at Garfield’s Garden on the Corner to select seeds for your garden or share seeds for the community to enjoy. Visit our social media for updated days and hours.
Dr. Art Mollen’s Fitness Path is avalible to everyone in the community to walk, run, and bike. Located on the path next to the canal by the Arizona Biltmore Circle from 32nd street to 24th street, it’s open every day and is the perfect place to get some fresh air and exercise.
The Mollen Foundation’s offers a variety of knowledgeable resources to teachers, school administrators, and community members alike! From site visits to professional development opportunities, we offer it all. If you’re interested in integrating our curriculum into your school, please contact us to learn more.