Veggielution

Veggielution was founded by three San José State University students who wanted to build community through food and farming. With the support of the City of San José, Veggielution broke ground in 2008 on a 1/6-acre parcel of land at Emma Prusch Farm Park in East San José. Emma Prusch Farm Park is a former dairy farm that was deeded to the City of San José in 1962 with the stipulation that it always be used to demonstrate the agricultural history of this area once referred to as “The Valley of Heart’s Delight.” Since 2008, Veggielution has grown year by year on this historical and previously underutilized land to become a thriving 6-acre urban farm where neighbors can gather, learn, and play. Their organically-managed community farm connects thousands of Silicon Valley residents each year through programs that encourage experiential learning and healthy eating. The mission of Veggielution is to connect people from diverse backgrounds outdoors through food and farming to build community in East San José. Their  6-acre community farm and gathering space is located in Emma Prusch Farm Park in the Mayfair neighborhood, one of the most impoverished areas in Silicon Valley. Mayfair residents suffer from conditions that affect many immigrant and working-class populations, including higher rates of obesity and diabetes, significant education and earning gaps, lack of access to safe, well-maintained outdoor spaces, and limited options for fresh, healthy food. They believe that building social capital--the network of social connections that exist between people, which enable and encourage social cooperation and civic engagement--is the key to addressing these issues.