FEEST is the Food Education Empowerment and Sustainability Team. We are a youth-run program out of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, and we gather every Wednesday at 3:30 PM to kick it in the kitchen, prepare a delicious and healthy meal, and then eat all together family-style while learning about food in our communities.

GROW. In partnership with the Nature Consortium, FEEST hosts an Organic Gardening workshop where youth learn hands-on the basics and best practices of growing sustainable food. In addition to developing the plot and learning more about personal p-patches and seasonal cycles, they manage worm bins for comprehensive composting. They aim for zero-waste and to provide the majority of the produce for weekly dinners.

COOK. Every Wednesday evening, young people gather together in the kitchen to prepare a complete meal using organic produce donated from local community supported agriculture. Youth learn practical kitchen skills, food handling and safety, and presentation techniques. Most importantly, they design the meal using the available ingredients, adding their own creative spin on salads, pastas, soups, dumplings, vegetable dishes and more.

EAT. After cooking and gardening, FEEST participants come together at the dinner table to share in food and dialogue with one another. Dinners are youth-run and governed by Community Agreements that include “speaking your truth” and respecting self and others. Each guest introduces themselves and shares what they are thankful for before the meal begins, then has the opportunity to meet new people and engage in conversation while eating. Weekly dinners are open to any youth 13-20 years old; our Community Potucks are available for all residents to join, share in the culture of FEEST, and learn more about the youth experience of Southwest Seattle.

LEAD. FEEST is a "youthocracy," a place where young people define and steward the space; adults are guests. FEEST Youth Leaders are responsible for designing and facilitating weekly dinners, sharing their input for periodic field trips, recruiting their peers, and providing invaluable insight into larger community initiatives, regional conferences, and more. They also develop monthly curriculum to present information about certain foods and nutrition to their peers in creative, interactive ways. FEEST Leaders have shared their model and experiences on national platforms for urban developers, foundations, city representatives and more.