The program
In Jan. 2025, the United States Conference of Mayors named Fort Wayne the first-place winner of the 2025 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health & Sustainability Awards for its "Plant, Pick & Plate Program" in Southeast Fort Wayne.
The Plant, Pick & Plate Program is a collaborative effort between the City of Fort Wayne by and through the Community Development Department, SEED Fort Wayne, Purdue Fort Wayne, Inspired Nutrition by Kelley, and Johnnie Mae Farm.
The program is designed for fifth to ninth grade students from Southeast Fort Wayne. The program offers a two-pronged approach to combating childhood obesity by offering programming to empower youth to become environmentally conscious leaders through hands-on gardening education as well as a monthly cooking class to help build confidence, community, and health. After each cooking class the kids will receive a gift card to be used at Pontiac Street Market for recipe ingredients so they can cook at home with their families.
Program kick-off celebration
Friday, June 06, 2025 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Plant, Pick & Plate program kick-off celebration
Johnnie Mae Farm, 2518 Winter St.
2 – 6 p.m.: Farm Stand with locally grown produce available for purchase while supplies last
3 p.m.: Remarks from Mayor Tucker, City of Fort Wayne leaders, and representatives from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the American Beverage Association for a Healthy America, and Purdue Extension-Allen County
3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Tours of the Johnnie Mae Farm and kitchen, sampling of recipes with local produce and refreshments (while supplies last)
On-street parking is available but please note that the section of Winter Street directly in front of Johnnie Mae Farm will be closed during most of the event.
