About Us
Celebrating 30 Years of Edible Education

Our Mission

The Edible Schoolyard Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the transformation of public education by using organic school gardens, kitchens, and cafeterias to teach both academic subjects and the values of nourishment, stewardship, and community.

Edible education provides hands-on experiences that connect students to food, nature, and each other; and it systematically addresses the crises of climate change, public health, and social inequality. At its heart is a dynamic and joyful learning experience for every child.

Our Story

Founded in 1995 by chef, author, and activist Alice Waters, the Edible Schoolyard Project began as an idea to transform the food experience at a public middle school in Berkeley, California. As the idea took shape, a coalition of educators, families, farmers, cooks, and artists joined the effort, working closely with students to create a flourishing garden and kitchen classroom.

Today, the Edible Schoolyard at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School serves as a demonstration site and innovation hub for the field of edible education. Our curriculum offers students experiential learning opportunities that deepen their relationship with food, facilitate learning the skills of cooking and gardening, build their capacity for critical examination of the food system, and develop their agency to affect change in their own lives and in their communities.

Our People

OUR FOUNDER: ALICE WATERS

Alice Waters is a chef, author, food activist, and the founder and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California.

She founded the Edible Schoolyard Project in 1995 — combining her perspectives as a trained Montessori teacher, fervent political activist, gifted chef, and champion of sustainable agriculture. 

Her vision is grounded in the following key principle: children deserve to be nurtured in body and mind, treated with dignity, and shown that they are valued.

THE EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD PROJECT STAFF
JESS BLOOMER
 Garden Manager
LINDA BURCH
 CEO, Alice Waters Institute
CHRIS CANNON
Program Director, Edible Schoolyard Stockton
ESTHER COOK 
 Chef Teacher
GRISELDA COONEY
Operations and Development Coordinator
CARRIE COTTINI
Deputy Director of Development
YAEL CYPERS
Procurement Director, Alice Waters Institute
SOPHIA FOX
Garden Educator
JENNY GARCIA
Farm Educator
IMANUELLE JONES
Chef Educator
TONYA JOWERS
Farm Manager
KATHRYN KESLOSKY
Director of Development
NICOLE LEWIS
CSA Coordinator
JENNA QUAN
Program Manager, Edible Schoolyard Berkeley
ASHLEY ROUSE
Executive Director
JENNIFER SHERMAN
Culinary Director, Alice Waters Institute
RUSSELL STERTEN 
Training and Network Manager
KEVIN TORRES
Farm Specialist
JEREMY WEGERER
Director of Operations and Finance
TAMIKA WHITENACK
Garden Educator
MEGAN WIRZBERGER
Farm Educator
THE EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD PROJECT BOARD
JAMES ALEFANTIS
JASON BADE
 HENRIK JONES
CRAIG McNAMARA
FANNY SINGER
NEIL SMITH
ALICE WATERS, Founder
 

Annual Reports & Financials

Our annual reports provide details of our program work and a full list of our supporters. Download our most recent annual reports in PDF format below, or contact us to request a hard copy. 

ANNUAL REPORTS 
  • 2023-2024 (PDF)
  • 2019-2020 (PDF)
  • 2018-2019 (PDF)
  • 2017-2018 (PDF)
  • 2016-2017 (PDF) 
  • 2014-2016 (PDF) 
  • 2013-2014 (PDF) 
  • 2012-2013 (PDF) 
  • 2010-2012 (PDF) 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & 990 TAX FILINGS
  • 2022-2023 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2021-2022 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2020-2021 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2019-2020 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2018-2019 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2017-2018 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2016-2017 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2015-2016 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2014-2015 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2013-2014 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2012-2013 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2011-2012 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)
  • 2010-2011 Financial Statements (PDF) and 990 Tax Filing (PDF)