GrowTogether Garden Workshop Series

Income inequality

South LA Long Beach San Gabriel Valley Central LA East LA South Bay

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Food insecurity affects more than 1 in 5 residents of LA County, particularly impacting Black and Latinx communities in South LA, East LA, and Inglewood. Many low-income families reside in areas lacking access to affordable, fresh produce. Limited green space, unstable housing, and insufficient education on nutrition and food cultivation further exacerbate health disparities. Community gardens and home gardening can help lower food costs, enhance diet quality, and promote sustainable practices, but many encounter obstacles in obtaining knowledge, materials, and support.
Supplemental Data:
As of 2023, nearly 26% of households in Los Angeles County with children experienced food insecurity.
Black households experienced food insecurity at 2x the rate of white households (California Health Interview Survey, 2022).
A 2020 USC study found that access to gardening increased fruit and vegetable consumption by 37% and reduced food costs by up to $600 per year.

GrowTogether Garden Workshop Series is a mobile garden education program designed to meet Angelenos where they are—with food, tools, and hope. At 12 trusted community sites—such as schools, senior centers, affordable housing complexes, and wellness hubs—The Garden Kollective will lead a 3-part, hands-on workshop series focused on growing edible plants, composting, and nutrition.
Each site will receive a raised-bed garden installation, free garden kits (one per participant), and culturally responsive instruction tailored to their community. Workshops draw from our bilingual curriculum, featuring sessions such as “Potting Up,” “Stuff We Eat: Herb Growing,” “Composting 101,” and healthy cooking demonstrations. To reduce barriers and support follow-through, participants will receive a $45 grocery gift card upon completing the whole 3-part series.
Led by founder Kayla Robinson, a solo garden educator rooted in South Los Angeles, the program also provides seasonal stipends for community educators and a part-time assistant to support its expansion. The initial program will begin in Winter 2026 and scale to all 12 sites by September. By October 2026, we aim to empower over 150 residents, distribute over 150 grow kits, and foster lasting connections to food, wellness, and one another—one garden at a time.

By October 2026, GrowTogether will have completed 12 full garden workshop series, each comprising three hands-on sessions, in communities across Los Angeles County. We will serve over 150 residents, install new gardens beds, and distribute more than 150 garden kits to help participants grow their food at home.
Success will be reflected in:
75% average attendance across all sites
50+ survey responses showing increased confidence and knowledge in gardening and composting
10+ participant testimonials and photos
Ongoing engagement with our follow-up text reminders and Garden Klub resources
The program will also build capacity for local educators through stipends and offer a scalable model for future community-based garden programs.