By: Pamela Honey
On September 29, the Teens for Food Justice community gathered for our annual Gala for a night of powerful voices, moving stories, and a shared commitment to building a more just food system. Together, we surpassed our fundraising goals, ensuring that even more students can grow food, lead change, and nourish their communities.
Back to School, Gala-Style
This year’s theme was “Back to School”, and the evening opened with the energy of a classroom brought to life. Host Christopher Hanke set the tone, reminding guests, “We’re here to celebrate the amazing work of Teens for Food Justice, to honor some remarkable leaders, and to support the students who are building a healthier, more equitable food system for all.”
Guests also joined in the spirit of the farms by writing “Grow Notes” of encouragement, which will soon be shared with students in the farms themselves as a reminder of the community standing behind them.
Student and Alumni Voices
Students and alumni were at the heart of the evening.
Senior Kaity T. described the skills she has learned on the farm, explaining, “We learn to measure nutrients, check water flow, maintain the equipment, manage planting schedules, harvest crops, and track all the data.” Her classmate, Najae S., shared how farming connected her to her roots: “My family’s from down South, and I come from a long line of farmers. Learning to grow hydroponically inside a classroom gave me a way to connect with my southern heritage from the middle of New York City.”
Alum Miguel G., now pursuing his dream of becoming a chef, told the audience about his first time stepping into a TFFJ farm. “The first time I walked in, I felt something I had never felt before. It was fresh, clean, calm, and energizing. That feeling told me I belonged there.” Cooking with basil and cucumber straight from the farm, he explained, changed how he thought about food: “So many people think they don’t like the taste of vegetables. I think that’s just because they haven’t tried ours.”
Listen to Najae, Kaity, and Miguel share what it means to grow, learn, and lead through TFFJ.
Spotlight on Wascar Soriano
Later in the evening, alum Wascar Soriano was honored for his extraordinary leadership and service.
Wascar first joined TFFJ as a student at DeWitt Clinton High School, where his curiosity and enthusiasm quickly stood out. Throughout his high school years, he not only learned hydroponics but also discovered his passion for service and mentoring others. Now a student at Hunter College, he has stayed deeply connected to TFFJ, returning each week to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational Campus farm to take part in a range of farm tasks and help distribute fresh food to students, families, and neighbors.
Accepting his award, he reflected, “TFFJ gave me a place to grow—not just plants, but as a leader, a volunteer, and now as a future educator.” He spoke of memories filled with “produce-based puns, the smiles and laughter inside and outside the farm, and the knowledge that will stay with me forever.”
What makes his story so powerful is the way he has carried TFFJ’s mission forward. “When we work together, we can see the change in every bag of produce distributed, in every student who finds their passion, in every family that has access to fresh, healthy food,” he told the audience. His journey is proof that the seeds planted in TFFJ’s farms continue to grow far beyond the classroom.
Hear from alumnus Wascar Soriano as he shares how TFFJ shaped his journey and continues to inspire his work today.
Honoring Leaders in Food Justice
The Gala also celebrated champions who make this work possible. Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson was recognized with the Food Justice Champion Award for his dedication to expanding fresh food access and supporting new school farms in Far Rockaway.
Hear from Assemblymember Khaleel M. Anderson on why youth leadership is essential to food justice.
The Legacy of Justice Award was presented to our co-founder and CEO Emerita, Katherine Soll. Reflecting on TFFJ’s journey, she shared, “When we first started, it was just a small volunteer project—an idea dreamed up around a kitchen table. I never could have imagined it would grow into what it is today: a multi-city, youth-led program where students are not only growing tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce each year, but also growing into leaders, advocates, and change-makers for their communities.”
She added what has always inspired her most: “I’ve seen students step into the farm for the first time a little hesitant, and then, almost immediately, they take ownership. They see their work matter in real time—food going to their cafeterias, to their families, to their neighborhoods. And they realize their voices, actions, and ideas can change the world.”
Hear directly from Kathy Soll as she reflects on TFFJ’s journey and the power of community.
A Milestone for Leadership
The Gala also marked the first for our CEO, Dr. Meghan Groome. In her remarks, she spoke about her personal connection to the mission: “Growing up as someone who experienced food insecurity has guided my lifelong commitment to food justice. At Teens for Food Justice, that fire found its purpose—helping young people grow not just food, but also the skills, confidence, and community spirit to change the world around them.”
She called TFFJ’s model “an educator’s dream—students learning science through firsthand experience, building and running hydroponic systems right in their schools, and then learning to cook and teach others about nutrition.” Her reflections offered both gratitude and optimism for the future, affirming the strength of the community built around this mission.
Listen as Dr. Meghan Groome shares her vision for TFFJ’s future and the movement our students are leading.
A Night of Success
Thanks to the generosity of everyone in the room, we surpassed our fundraising goals. The support we received ensures that students in New York City and Denver can continue leading the way toward healthier, more food-secure communities.
Looking Ahead
The Gala was a celebration of the past, present, and future of TFFJ: the vision of our founders, the leadership of Kathy Soll, the dedication of our CEO Meghan Groome, the energy of our students and alumni, and the unwavering support of our partners and donors.
See the moments that made the Gala unforgettable in our photo gallery.
