Food from the 'Hood facts for kids

Food from the 'Hood was a special company started by high school students. They grew organic food and later sold their own natural salad dressings. This amazing non-profit group began in 1993. It was created to help rebuild the community after some difficult times in Los Angeles.

How It Started

A Community Project

The "Food from the 'Hood" program began in 1993. It started after some challenging events in Los Angeles. Tammy Bird, a biology teacher at Crenshaw High School, met a group called Gardens For Kids. They offered to help fix up the garden behind her classroom.

Soon after, Melinda McMullen, an expert in public relations, joined Ms. Bird. Together, they gave students a chance to help their community. The students worked to clear a large, overgrown piece of land behind the classroom.

Growing Food and Helping Others

The students decided to grow organic food. They planned to give 25% of their harvest to "Helpers for the Homeless and the Hungry." This was a local non-profit group. They would sell the rest of their produce at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market. They called their project "Food from the 'Hood."

At the end of their first year, they had earned $600. This money helped fund small college scholarships for three students. More students were graduating the next year. It became clear they needed a bigger plan to help more students.

Getting Noticed and Growing

A Story in the News

In October 1993, a writer named Ron Harris shared their story. His column in the Los Angeles Times was read by many people. Norris Bernstein, who used to lead Bernstein's Salad Dressing, heard about the students. He reached out to Food from the 'Hood.

Mr. Bernstein was retired, but he offered to help. He worked with them on their salad dressing recipe. He also helped them decide on a price and create a plan to sell it.

Teamwork and TV Appearances

Mr. Bernstein became an important adult adviser. Ms. Bird oversaw the garden work and trips to the farmer's market. Ms. McMullen worked to get the project more attention. Soon, CBS Morning News became interested in their story.

National reporter Hattie Kauffman came to cover the project. Over the next three years, she became close with the students. She even did three different news stories about Food from the 'Hood.

Big Support and New Products

After the story aired on CBS Morning News, the students got a call. It was from Rebuild LA, a group formed after the difficult times in Los Angeles. An executive from one of their main companies had seen the news story. They wanted to learn more about Food from the 'Hood.

The students had their business plan ready. Within a few weeks, Food from the 'Hood received a $50,000 grant. This money helped them grow their salad dressing company. In December 1993, the students also grew and donated holiday food packages to "Helpers for the Homeless and the Hungry."

A few months later, Food from the 'Hood launched their first salad dressing flavor. This was the start of a line of three different dressings. The group continued to get a lot of attention. They even had a visit from Prince Charles. They also traveled to Washington D.C. to be honored by Newsweek Magazine. Their salad dressing was sold in over 2,000 grocery stores across 22 states in the western U.S.

Students Go to College

In 1995, the first students who started Food from the 'Hood graduated. Almost all of them went on to attend four-year colleges. These included University of California, Berkeley; San Diego State; Howard University; and Stanford University.

Later Years and End of the Program

Food from the 'Hood continued for several years. It kept funding college scholarships even after the original students graduated. In 2002, Oprah Winfrey gave the organization a large donation. This was part of her "Use Your Life" Awards. The organization eventually closed a few years later. However, many of the students who were part of Food from the 'Hood still keep in touch.