Meet Samantha Ing Wu, Member of the Board, Collective Roots

Childhood obesity and diabetes is a serious epidemic facing this country. Fresh food and healthy eating is not accessible to all.

As an advocate of food system change, organic eating, and the importance of instilling “healthy food” habits in children; Collective Roots strikes a personal chord as it brings transformational programs in garden-based learning, youth leadership and food justice and access to the local East Palo Alto community. I am honored to be part of Collective Roots and I hope you will be inspired to help change lives.

One of the goals for Collective Roots this coming year is to establish a Farmers' Market in East Palo Alto. Many people are not aware that the options for purchasing fresh vegetables and fruit in East Palo Alto are very limited. I hope you will join in our efforts to bring fresh food to the community.

I spent the past 10 years in marketing across a variety of industries. My true passion however, has always been the love of food. I took a hiatus from my professional life and became a certified, classically French trained chef after attending the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. I also worked at a Michelin acclaimed restaurant, Aqua, and launched my own catering and personal chef business "Live, Eat Well."

I love to share my love of food with family and friends. Check out my blog for healthy recipes and food facts (click here).

Please help us achieve our goal to establish a Farmer's Market in East Palo Alto.

Saree Mading, Board Member and Administrator at East Palo Alto Charter School, has written an amazing letter about Collective Roots' initiative to develop the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market. If you have a few minutes, please click here to view this inspiring letter. I am hoping that once you have read Saree’s letter and reviewed the programs that were are featured on our website, you will be inspired to make a donation to Collective Roots.

Nearly 40% of our budget is contributed in-kind. This means that every dollar you give is matched with the generosity of others that stretches precious resources even further. We offer a variety of ways for donors to make a contribution. I can mail you a letter (the old-fashioned way) with a remit envelope, or you can simply click here to make a tax-deductible donation online. Our online donation form is easy to use and only takes a couple of minutes.

There are many ways that you can join our efforts and support the work of Collective Roots. We welcome your involvement as a volunteer. Please review our many volunteer opportunities by clicking here.