Schoolyard to Market is a youth development, entrepreneurship, and gardening program conceived by CUESA and Education Outside and launched in January 2011. We now partner with Urban Sprouts to work with three San Francisco Unified School District high schools: John O’Connell High School in the Mission District, Life Learning Academy on Treasure Island, and June Jordan School of Equity in the Excelsior.

Schoolyard to Market students are growing produce and vegetable seedlings in their school gardens and selling them at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The students get hands-on experience in the garden and take field trips to the farmers market and local farms. They learn about sustainability and why it's important, and they eat vegetables out of the garden. They also learn about running a successful business, with advice from local farmers, school garden managers, and other experts.

 Through the program, the youth gain valuable life and job skills like planning, marketing, and customer service. They come away with a greater appreciation for gardening and an understanding of where their food comes from. The Schoolyard to Market program also aims to improve students’ health and well-being. It encourages physical activity, and 93% of the students surveyed in the pilot semester said they enjoyed fruits and vegetables more after participating in the program.

Spring 2013 market sales dates:
Saturday, April 13: Life Learning Academy: plant starts (South Driveway)
Saturday, April 20: June Jordan School for Equity: vegetables, herbs, and plant starts (adjacent to CUESA Classroom, south of clocktower)
Saturday, April 27: Life Learning Academy: plant starts(South Driveway)
Saturday, May 11: June Jordan School for Equity: vegetables, herbs, and plant starts(South Driveway)
Saturday, May 18: John O'Connell High School: vegetables and herbs (South Driveway)

Learn more:
From the Schoolyard to the Market
Another Schoolyard Comes to Market

This program is made possible through the generous support of:
GGS Foundation
Tacolicious
Clif Bar Family Foundation
Van Degna Family Foundation
Gladys & Ralph Lazarus Foundation
Jessica Goldman Philanthropic Fund
Whole Kids Foundation
Jardiniere Fund
Marcled Foundation
Rabobank
Cooking Channel
Cut Loose
Analisa Naldi
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