About Us Video
About Us
Mentoring gardens history
20+ years ago we had a vision to open an educational center to "fill in some gaps" and encourage "find-a-need-and-fill-it" projects where students creatively become part of solutions. Naturally this meant figuring out ways to support the projects rather than 'asking for handouts'. A solution manifested as Mentoring Gardens Kitchen & Market. Yes, we could have signed up to sell other people's candy, crafts, or cookies, but how much more fun is it to get kids in on the action of researching innovative ideas, market-testing recipes, and the many steps involved in creating and operating a new business venture.
MENTORING GARDENS KITCHEN & MARKET TODAY
While many students have been involved at various stages, a few of them stayed to see the day we'd officially have our own full-time dedicated commercial kitchen, which we moved into January 2020. Our plans for a grand-opening were put on hold due to the pandemic, and this has been the prolonged moment for all of us to learn the next stages of what it takes to "stay" in business. Though a rough time it seems, we're grateful for a full-time accessible kitchen and thankful for the many customers who return day after day to buy our granola at markets, stores, and on our web site. www.MentoringGardens.com
Copyright © 2025 Mentoring Gardens Kitchen & Market, a Project of
The Educare Foundation Inc. of Illinois dba CareNowInc.Org a 501c3 Non Profit,
and Proud Sponsor of The Music Box Project at www.MusicBoxTime.com. All Rights Reserved. "With Every bite You're Helping A Job, A Dream, A Possibility Grow!" TM 10/01/2010
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