Trellis For Tomorrow’s SEED Skills program creates powerful opportunities for diverse youth 12-18 to address food insecurity in their local communities.

By combining a youth career readiness program, life skills development and food security initiative, Trellis provides a multi-pronged approach to addressing the needs of the community.

This summer of 2024, 90 students will participate in the “Earn while you learn” program at four garden sites in Chester County. This dynamic work force development program offers youth two concurrent 4-week summer sessions that include a combination of hands-on work, classroom curriculum, and interactive activities.

Youth manage large organic gardens in their neighborhoods, where they learn to grow, harvest and market produce to their neighbors. They also learn how to prepare healthy food for themselves and their families.

The youth receive two healthy meals each day and a weekly stipend for their work.

In 2023, the youth participants distributed approximately 4,200 pounds of organic produce to 120 households and area agencies.

The Carole Landis Foundation provided a grant this summer to Trellis, as it has done for the past six years.