What is the Edible Schoolyard Project (ESY)? 

Welcome to the Edible Schoolyard Project, Stockton! Our team is excited to serve the Taylor Leadership Academy community. The Edible Schoolyard Project- Stockton is dedicated to transforming the health of children by designing hands-on educational experiences in the garden, kitchen, and cafeteria that connect children to food, nature, and to each other.

An Edible Education places the child at the center of their learning and uses food to engage all aspects of the child’s education. Through growing, processing, cooking, eating, studying, talking, and thinking about food, students develop skills, knowledge, and behaviors that enrich their academic and nonacademic lives, bolster their growth as individuals and in relationships, and cultivate meaningful engagement with their own health, the health of their communities, and the health of the planet. 

At the heart of an Edible Education is a just and joyful learning experience for every child.

Who are we?

Our team includes Patricia Miller, Chef Liesha and Viola Shackelford. 

Patricia Miller is your community engagement manager.  She is a farmer and is dedicated to bringing the best local organic produce to the community. Patricia works diligently to ensure that all the behind the scenes pieces of the work are completed.

Chef Liesha, a longtime chef educator and food justice advocate. She teaches cooking classes that provide recipes, nutrition information, cooking instruction and helps those who need it. 

Viola Shackelford is a community activist who works daily to ensure that the community has the support it needs. 

After School Program

ESY is excited to partner with the Taylor Leadership Academy’s After School Program. Every Wednesday, Chef Liesha hosts an hour of fun with food. Students enrolled in the after school program will have fun learning the basics of cooking and gardening. Contact the school for information on how to register for the after school program. 

Community Support Agriculture (CSA)

For the last few months, ESY has handed out free boxes of fresh organic fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis at Van Buskirk Community Center.  Our CSA box program is designed to provide the Taylor community with safe and easy access to fresh organic produce. In addition to providing fresh fruits and vegetables we also provide supporting materials such as coloring pages and information about how to store and cook the items in the box. You can pick up your box each Thursday from 10 am- 12 pm at Van Buskirk Community Center (734 Houston Ave.) If you have any questions about the contents of your produce box you can call/text Chef Liesha at 510-388-6371. 

We are looking forward to this new year of many possibilities! 

Edible Schoolyard Project Stockton Presents: Fun with Food

Join us with the Step Up After School Program from 3:15-4:15.

The Edible Schoolyard Project Stockton will be hosting a series of workshops where students will be engaging in conversations about food and given special opportunities to experience food and produce first hand at their homes!

Click on the link below to register for Free!

https://schools.procareconnect.com/register/1700b5a6-c875-4be4-bb90-090b1fade77f

 Community Supported Agricultural Program (CSA) 

Please click on the link below to take a survey if you participate in the Community Supported Agricultural Program (CSA) (vegetable boxes given out at Van Buskirk).

Click here for the Google Form