Partners in Service to the Community

Many people are aware of the work Cultural Coalition does with the children at the Rancho del Arte low-income housing apartments in Mesa. We’ve shared stories about the free meals, art, music, and homework help our teachers provide in our afterschool program. Serving approximately 90 children, from ages 5 to 15, this program offers them a place to receive guidance and support to be academically successful and creatively encouraged. 

But what some people might not know is, thanks to partnerships with other nonprofit organizations in the state, the program has expanded to address another serious issue the families of Rancho face each day, food insecurity. 

Cultural Coalition partnered with Local First Arizona (LFA) to address this concern of when a family meal will come, while also providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Through LFA, children learn to cultivate a community garden with experts in urban farming, and take cooking classes with instruction from local chefs on how to use locally grown, healthier ingredients.

We spoke with LFA Director of Food Programs Gabe Gardner and Cultural Coalition Executive Director Carmen Guerrero to share more about how this partnership at Rancho del Arte came to fruition:

Question 1: How did Local First Arizona begin its involvement with Cultural Coalition at Rancho del Arte?

• Carmen: I’ve known Kimber [Lanning – Founder of Local First Arizona] for a few decades. Since she started Stinkweeds while we were in the band Zúm Zúm Zúm! We appreciate Local First and their mission to empower the working communities of Arizona via entrepreneurship. When El Rancho del Arte Complex expanded to build two new buildings (El Rancho del Sol 1 & 2) in 2017, Community Development Partners (CDP – the owners of the project) had formed a partnership with Local First and built a commercial kitchen for their use on the property. We were so lucky they became a resident nonprofit organizational partner and we got to work together!

• Gabe: LFA began operating our Fuerza Local Business Accelerator, a Spanish preferred entrepreneur development program, on the El Rancho property in 2017.  We met Carmen and were introduced to all of the wonderful work she was doing with the children and the art community. It was a natural progression to become partners and we are thrilled to be in constant partnership since.

Question 2: CC and LFA are both long standing nonprofits in the state. How have the two organizations partnered or worked together over the years?

• Carmen: In order to improve the food insecurity situation facing many in the El Rancho community, LFA offers weekly cooking and gardening classes in their efforts to connect farm to table resources within our community. So Chef Gabe comes weekly and teaches the children in our After School Arts Program for residents.

• Gabe: Our partnership has grown and blossomed at the space in Mesa.  Kids cooking and gardening classes, community events (including a Mariachi band celebration where we closed the street to celebrate!), community dinners, food pantries to increase access for residents, and supporting each other’s efforts valley-wide

Question 3: What positive changes have you seen in the children related to the gardening and 

cooking programs?

• Carmen: The kids love Chef Gabe! And their food horizons have expanded a lot since his interactions with the students have been consistent and fun. The children look forward to his lessons and all the delicious things he shows them how to prepare. For example, protein shakes, hummus and veggies, and sandwich rolls (inside a tortilla and cut into pieces like sushi). The kids enjoy the fun ways to eat new foods, and that it is fun to make and watch. 

• Gabe: The children have become more adventurous eaters and have broadened what they view as good food! The kids have a connection to where food comes from and they have been given an education in cooking and feeding themselves.

Question 4: Are there any plans on expanding or growing this kind of program in the future, whether it’s at Rancho or at other places around the state?

• Carmen: We would like to offer adult cooking classes once all the Covid 19 restrictions are lifted and we can host evening gatherings in the community room again. Chef Gabe already offers Saturdays gardening sessions to interested residents on a monthly basis.

• Gabe: LFA is always looking to grow and strengthen partnerships that are beneficial for communities like El Rancho. As we work hard to bridge gaps and lessen inequity in our food system, we will surely explore ways in which CC can support those efforts. We are also open to any ideas that CC may have to deepen the impact of our shared goals!

Cultural Coalition is grateful to have such amazing partners like Local First Arizona and Gabe, that care about the health and growth of our community. We look forward to growing our partnership and invite all to stop by the Rancho del Arte facilities to see the work we are doing! And stay tuned for what the future brings!