Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Gonzales.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Wow, I can’t believe it’s been about a year since we last interviewed. As you all know, my experience has been a buffet of activities. Since then, I have served as a conference speaker and sponsor for Food as Medicine Global, highlighting my experiences at my hospital garden at LA General Hospital (formerly LAC+USC Medical Center) and the other activities we are currently involved with. But before I dive into those, I want to remind you all that the journey has been what sunlight says is difficult, but what I would say is a work of heart. Oh, and I almost forgot. Inspire Company came out for an executives-only volunteer day where they cleaned up the entire place in hours; it felt like I was in a new garden. I’m crossing my fingers that they’ll come back again soon!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Oh no, not in the least bit. The road to success is paved with good intentions and that is something I do strive for. For one thing, getting into a conference is not an easy feat. A conference speaker must hold a place in their community that provides and offers support, and in my case, it’s about food sovereignty for underserved communities. It’s interesting because we’re in a time where food is accessible to many, although cultural food is not accessible to the masses. As a cultivar in the heart of Los Angeles, this food equity table is hard to develop with such a limited space when the suburban sprawl has taken over, and even the Hospital community cannot escape its clutches. This is the start and as a talking point, community development technology is a key piece that I bring to the table every day: to enrich the community, to maintain their knowledge and understanding, and to highlight opportunities, successes, and outright fun. But despite these challenges, I continue to push forward, determined to make a difference.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The first thing you should know about Edible Healing Garden is that we work with the community, we work with what they want, and we work with what they need. We are located at a pediatrics prenatal and postnatal clinic where our hub Homes are a pediatric community garden. This space is known for its revival of the community through the hard labor of myself and Katherine. What sets us apart is our unwavering passion for what we do. We provide all of our freshly grown organic produce to the community for free. And we have the good stuff like passionfruit, California native grapes, guavas, loquats, dragon fruits, basil, mints-you name it, we got it! And if that was enough, we proudly host the UC Master Gardeners program volunteers who are continually expanding our horizons day in and day out. What’s interesting? Is that right now, I have developed a partnership with Pepperdine University in their helping hands day for their student population to be shuttled over to our garden at the Hospital to help around for two weekends this upcoming September. Also in our partnership with First Nation Storytellers, I have been able to reach out to District 13 here in Los Angeles to get a little free indigenous library in their Office in Echo Park. Hugo’s office was so excited at what me and Tanya from First Nation Storytellers Brought to the table, they want us to also install a library in City Hall. You know of course we said yes. So if free cultural food wasnisn’t enough now, we bring you free indigenous books.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Oh my goodness, reaching out to the community with open arms and with a loud voice is the most important. Especially in the underserved community like they say, clothes mouse do not get fed. And I would also like to remind everybody to not bite the hand that feeds. What has worked best for us is general outreach with a polite and compassionate nature. Without the awareness, the acknowledgement, and the willingness to openly communicate, it is impossible to plan a successful business, nonprofit, or event. But our commitment to the community remains unwavering, and we will continue to serve and support them in any way we can.
Pricing:
- Donations are welcome
Contact Info:
- Website: Ediblehealinggarden.org
- Instagram: Ediblehealinggarden | firstnationstorytellers
- Facebook: Ediblehealinggarden
- Youtube: Ediblehealinggarden
