Each year, Castanea takes stock of the impact we are cultivating in the food system. From fellow & partner collaborations to shifting the national conversation around food justice, check out our latest impact reports to learn more about how we’re transforming the food system together.
Kauai Partners
Josh Mori
Nā Mahi Ho’okō A’e // Iwikua
Developing Kamaʻāina by empowering current and future generations to be culturally centered life-long learners and to fulfill active roles in the community as teachers, leaders, and farmers. Utilizing hands-on education rooted in traditional knowledge and by partnering with existing organizations such as schools, nonprofits, and local businesses, Iwikua will be a resource for real food and cultural wellness.
Kaina Makua
Aloha ʻĀina Poi Co. // Kumano I Ke Ala
Based in the Makaweli Valley on the Westside of Kauaʻi, Aloha Aina Poi Company is a farmer-owned enterprise centered on ʻāina-based community enrichment, empowerment and economic development. Our goal is to provide the highest quality kalo products in order to reinvigorate and support a thriving mahi ʻai kalo (kalo farming) complex in West Kauaʻi.
Kumano I Ke Ala's mission is to build a foundation of Aloha ʻĀina through culturally-based Native Hawaiian education programming to grow self-aware, self-determined and self-directed critical thinkers for a sustainable West Kauaʻi. They provide food to the community, feed elders, and lead programs for youth. Kaina is also a Native Hawaiian language teacher.
Mālama Hulēʻia // ʻAlakoko Fishpond
ʻAlakoko Fishpond is a 600 year old traditional fishpond that has been recently restored. Mālama Hulē‘ia advocates, educates, and leads community efforts to remove red mangrove along the Hule‘ia river, re-establishes native wetland ecosystems and creates an environmental stewardship program honoring Hawaiian values.
New Mexico Partners
Agri-Cultura Network
The Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network provides access to local produce to promote nutrition and economic development through traditional and innovative agricultural practices, therefore furthering environmental and community stewardship to strengthen the agrarian and cultural heritage of our land and its residents.
Los Jardines Institute
The work of the founders of Los Jardines Institute spans over 70 years of social, environmental and economic justice organizing, education and building a multi-generational movement.
We are a predominately volunteer-run organization that supports itself through our projects and grassroots fundraising.
Jemez Pueblo
Dale Hoya, farmer
The Jemez people have maintained their traditional way of life, a life supported by strong values, deep cultural respect, and the unique Towa language. The Pueblo of Jemez is a federally recognized tribe located 50 miles northwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jemez is one of the remaining 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, encompassing over 89,000 acres of land and home to over 3,400 tribal members. The people of Jemez cherish their ancestral customs and integrate their culture with modern society.
SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP)
The SouthWest Organizing Project was founded in 1980 by young activists of color to empower our communities in the SouthWest to realize racial and gender equality and social and economic justice. We seek to redefine power relationships by bringing together the collective action, talents, and resources of the people within our communities. We work primarily in low-income communities of color to gain community control of our land and resources.
Project Feed the Hood is a food literacy and community gardening initiative of SWOP that aims to improve community health through education and revival of traditional growing methods.
Across the globe, exploitive food systems undermine health, dignity, democracy and human rights. Low-income communities of color face daily obstacles to provide quality meals for their families. Project Feed the Hood’s goal is to engage people in an alternative food system steeped in history, tradition and sustainable agriculture that empowers them to improve their community health.
Tesuque Pueblo Farm
Emigdio Ballon
The Pueblo of Tesuque has revived traditional farming techniques on over 70 acres, producing traditional crops, herbal medicines, many varieties of fruit, grains, and vegetables, as well as several non-traditional crops including asparagus and 750 fruit trees. The farm is home to local beehives which provide the necessary pollination, as well as honey and beeswax for the community. A straw bale, solar powered seed bank preserves key species and we harvest water and have installed both a solar dryer and solar shower.