Tucson, Arizona (KGUN) — Many families are running out of budget to provide quality meals for their children.
Some parents may struggle to balance the pressure to get their children to eat nutritious fruits and vegetables.

KGUN 9 On Your Side recently visited Tucson Village Farm to see what guests will find when staff relaunch the “U-Pick” community harvest event.

Some people shared that they appreciate that this community resource is still accessible and open.

“I didn’t know this was the end of Roger Road,” said Gregory Eddings. “I had a little trouble finding it, but I can tell you it was worth it.”

Amid rows of kale and chard, Eddings spent time enjoying nature with his daughter, grandchildren and family. Here, in a way, his family tree touched the ground, searching for the right ingredients to cook a great meal.

“I picked up some leftover broccoli. I sampled all the different arugula… I even had some spinach,” he said. “I received very good instruction today.”

It’s the kind of knowledge that blossomed during the 12 years of camp and summer that Lily McGrath came to Tucson Village Farm. “I’m just trying to get involved in more community service and do more through the farm,” she said.

“I knew Lily when she was eight years old,” said Jess Ruth, the farm staff leader. “Now she’s 18, and there’s a lot of Lily here.”

While working urban farms have been open, farm managers have focused on showing children and teens what it takes to farm and harvest the land. Ambassadors like McGrath, who found a second family, also create unforgettable memories, including planned hikes to the Grand Canyon.

“We will start training in January,” McGrath said. “It’s a really good bonding experience, something only a farm can do. Accessible and amazing.”

In this chapter of the farm’s growing story, Luse, the farm’s outreach director and coordinator, teaches families how her team cooks produce of their choice within a culinary center funded by donations. He said he was grateful to be able to start.

“This was a dream come true after 10 years of programming on the farm,” says Luse. “Now we can really apply the lessons of nutrition to teach people how to prepare meals.”

The farm serves as the University of Arizona and Pima County Cooperative Extension Program. TVF staff say they sell as much produce as they can harvest every Tuesday this season, but they also rely on grants and donations to stay rooted in the community.