Honorees:
CONGRESSWOMAN Sydney Kamlager-Dove | LA COUNTY SUPERVISOR Holly Mitchell | SJLI HEALTH DIRECTOR Nicole Steele
A night of celebration and seed planting for a more equitable food future
Featuring the launch of the Freedom Farms Collective
ORA Urban Cafe, Leimert Park
FEBRUARY 19, 2026, 5–8 pm
Click Here for Sponsorship Info…
Sponsorship & Inquiries: Pastor Eddie Anderson, pastoreddie@pfgla.org
Our Moment of Momentum
The Winter Soirée honors the leaders and partners cultivating a new food future for South LA. It marks the launch of the Freedom Farms Collective — a bold, community-owned venture connecting local growers and retailers to create sustainable livelihoods, accessible healthy food, and a stronger local food economy.
THEME: Sankofa — Looking Back to Look Forward
PURPOSE: Celebrate, Honor, and Launch
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Optional pre-event tour of Epworth Farm and The Garden Grocery
- Freedom Farms Collective launch premiere multimedia presentation
- Awards for Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove (37th Congressional District) and Derek Steele, Executive Director, Social Justice Learning Institute
- Farm-to-table reception featuring produce grown through Freedom Farms — with menu curated by Chef Keith Corbin (Alta Adams)
THURSDAY, Feb.19, 2026 | 5pm – 8pm
ORA Urban Cafe, Leimert Park
4331 Degnan Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90008
map
“We’re not just growing food — we’re growing leadership, healing, and a new narrative for what’s possible.”
— Freedom Farms Grantee
Photo courtesy of Social Justice Learning Institute, Freedom Farms Collective member
FREEDOM FARMS COLLECTIVE
- A community-owned local food system — growing, aggregating, and distributing culturally relevant, affordable produce from South and West LA farms to local retailers, restaurants, and community outlets.
- Strengthening local economies — creating stable purchase contracts for farmers and small businesses, reducing food miles, and generating quality local jobs in farming, logistics, and processing.
- Impact to date: 13 community farms activated · 30,000 plants distributed · 4,700+ residents engaged · 40+ paid positions for youth, system-impacted residents, and educators
- Next frontier: expanding a value-added entrepreneurial ecosystem — from seed determination and community-grown seed production to new local products like herbal teas and more.
Photo courtesy of Social Justice Learning Institute, Freedom Farm Collective member