Left with 1,000 pounds of fresh produce from the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center gardens at the start of the pandemic, long-time gardener Jean Fies decided to distribute the leftovers to District 65 families picking up lunches. The experience made Fies realize the potential Evanston gardens have to combat food insecurity. She reached out to like-minded organizations.
To Co-Leader Tim Sonder (Medill ’83), Edible Evanston is all about connection. By connecting residents to food sources, the earth and Evanston, the nonprofit aims to promote community through food growing and sharing. Edible Evanston was born in 2013 as one of the top 10 ideas to improve the city proposed by Evanston 150, a.