“I knew I wanted to do something different, but I didn’t know what it was.”
These were the words of Amanda Thibodeau, the founder of the Food Love Project. Dissatisfied with her desk job in preventative health, and inspired by the local food movement, Amanda left Portland, Oregon and sought a new kind of education by working on organic farms.
Her journey brought her to Nevada City, were she met mentor Leo Chapman, who was teaching school children the joys of growing and eating local food. Amanda and Leo joined forces, and after a few months, she conceived her vision for the Food Love Project – an educational farm devoted to promoting nutrition education and a love of fresh food. Katie Turner, the Food Love Project’s first garden education intern, joined the team the following year, after leaving her Stanford archaeology job to find more meaningful work.
The rest, as they say, is history! Katie is now the Sierra Harvest Food Love Project Farm Manager and Amanda Thibodeau, the Director.
Today, Sierra Harvest’s Food Love Project is a thriving educational center and community farm that educates over 700 children each year. Established in partnership with the Bear Yuba Land Trust on the Burton Homestead, and run with the passion and commitment of Amanda and Katie, the farm has grown to offer school fields trips, Food Love Summer Camps, summer u-picks and community potlucks. It’s become a training center for interns learning how to engage children in food and farming education, and it produces over 2,000 pounds of food each year. The Food Love Project is more than just a farm – it has become a multi-generational social hub that fosters community building around growing food, eating healthy, and community service.
Help us celebrate the 5th year anniversary of The Food Love Project, and join us for a very special Soup Night on Thursday, April 9, from 5:30 – 8pm at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City. Bring a bowl, bring your friends, and enjoy a delicious soup dinner made with local produce. Amanda and Katie will be there, as well as our new 2015 farm educator interns Brianna and Jess. Paige Anderson and the Fearless Kin will also be there to help us celebrate with amazing blue grass music!
Thanks to donations by 3 Forks Bakery and Flour Garden, we will also be serving locally baked bread! And big thanks to
TREATS and Voltz Bros. Automotive for sponsoring this event at the Miners Foundry.
We hope to see you there!
Sierra Harvest Soup Night, April 9, 5:30 – 8:00pm
Admission: Adults $10, and kids eat free
Bring your own bowl!