{
  "path": "/article/789/youth-food-literacy-program",
  "site": "at://did:plc:c23vj3dsjs5whu4fs5g4zltd/site.standard.publication/3mjaj4gy4ec2u",
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  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "title": "Youth Food Literacy Program",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-11T19:12:42+00:00",
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  "description": "Orange Home Grown",
  "publishedAt": "2025-09-18T18:43:45+00:00",
  "textContent": "Youth Food Literacy Program Learning comes alive when students see the purpose behind it.  When they understand not just the facts, but why they matter—and then apply that knowledge through hands-on experience—they gain skills that last a lifetime.  That’s the promise of Orange Home Grown’s (OHG) Youth Food Literacy Program. Launched in 2017, the program gives local high school juniors and seniors a hands-on journey through the food cycle—from seed to table.  Over nine months, students connect with farmers, chefs, dietitians and food scientists while gaining valuable tools to make informed choices about food, health and their future. Graduates leave with experience and connections, and even scholarships to support their next steps. For Evan Bui, involvement in the program led to his current position at OHG as their Assistant Market Manager for the past three years. “I found out about the OHG Youth Food Literacy Program through a friend and my two older brothers,” says Bui.  “I was already interested in cooking and sustainability, so when I learned about the program’s focus on food systems, nutrition and hands-on experience, I knew I wanted to be part of it.” The program was transformational for Bui because it made learning about food engaging and real.  “We weren’t just learning facts—we were cooking, growing, visiting local farmers, and seeing how food connects to health and the environment,” he says.  “I gained confidence in the kitchen and a bigger-picture view of where our food comes from and why that matters. It’s a great program because it empowers kids with knowledge and practical skills they can carry forward in life.” This is exactly what the creators of the program intended, including Megan Penn, Co-Founder & Executive Director of OHG.  “We strive to offer information and experiences regarding food that fill in the gaps as to what local high school students learn at school,” says Penn, who notes the program was originally made possible through a grant from the Picerne Family Foundation. Open to El Modena and Orange High students, the Youth Food Literacy Program is free to attend and runs during the school year.  There is a total of six, four-hour Saturday classes over six months and a graduation ceremony where students are presented with scholarships.  Topics covered include the importance of seed saving and its effect on the food supply, visiting the OHG Education Farm, hearing from small farmers who sell at the weekly Farmers and Artisans Market, and learning from members of Chapman University’s Food Science Program.  Students also visit and work with  local restaurants, including Taqueria Mexico and O Sea.  Another highlight is a trip to the 4th Street Market CulinaryLab in Santa Ana. “We’ve had the privilege to work closely with Megan and OHG since before O SEA even opened,” says the restaurant’s owner, Mike Flynn.  “Our organizations share a similar ethos: knowing where products come from, supporting a more food-secure world, and raising awareness of sustainable practices.  The students are enthusiastic and ask the most thoughtful questions.  I enjoy linking our responsible sourcing mission with the OHG program while giving students a tangible, real-world application of what they’ve learned.” Now that he has come full circle, Bui finds sharing the Youth Food Literacy Program especially meaningful.  “The program doesn’t just teach kids how to cook—it teaches them to care about their health, their communities, and the environment,” he says.  “It’s an investment in the next generation of thoughtful, informed citizens, and I’m proud to be part of that mission.” - - - - Applications are being accepted until early October for the 2025-2026 Youth Food Literacy Program.  Contact Megan Penn at Megan@OrangeHomeGrown.org for a link to the online application."
}