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 Schedule

Cooking Classes

Learn to cook healthy, seasonal meals using fresh produce from the farm.

• When: Every other Tuesday evening
• Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
• Location: Johnnie Mae Farm – 2518 Winter Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46803

Class Dates:
July 1, 15, 29
August 12, 26
September 9, 23
October 7, 21
November 4, 18
December 2, 16

Gardening Classes

Hands-on lessons in planting, growing, and harvesting your own food.

• When: Every other Tuesday afternoon
• Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
• Location: Johnnie Mae Farm – 2518 Winter Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46803

Class Dates:
July 8, 22
August 5, 19
September 2, 16, 30
October 14, 28
November 11, 25
December 9, 23

Why Participate?

• Completely free to attend
• Fun, hands-on learning
• Encourages healthy habits
• Taught in a supportive and safe environment