What does it take to turn a long workday into a celebration of wellness and tradition?
According to our Outreach Team, just the right mix of education, community spirit, and a steaming bowl of homemade pozole.
On this spring evening (May 22, 2025) at Costa Farm, the day began like many others—rows of crops, sun-warmed soil, and 48 migrant farmworkers wrapping up another day of hard labor. But when our Outreach Team arrived with a surprise pot of chicken pozole, everything changed.
“¡Quien preparó este pozole ya se va a casar!”
(“Whoever prepared this pozole is ready to get married soon!”)
—a farmworker joked between bites.
It was more than just a meal. It was an experience—an exchange and a celebration of identity and well-being.
Nutrition That Feeds the Soul
At first glance, a health education session might not sound particularly exciting. But when the topic is nutrition and the setting is a shared dinner table under the open sky, everything comes alive.
That’s what Learning from Our Roots is all about—recognizing that health education doesn’t mean giving up the foods we love. Instead, it’s about honoring traditional meals such as sancocho, lentejas rancheras, and of course, pozole—and learning how these dishes can nourish both body and soul.
“La gente tiende a decir que nuestras comidas no son saludables, pero con ustedes es diferente… podemos comer lo que nos gusta y de manera saludable, ¡eso está padre!”
(“People often say our food isn’t healthy, but with you it’s different… We can eat what we like and do it in a healthy way. That’s cool!”)
A Proactive Approach to Healthcare
Our work goes far beyond prescriptions and appointments. We focus on proactive healthcare—meeting people where they are, listening first, and sharing knowledge rooted in both science and cultural wisdom.
By cooking and eating together, we create safe spaces for open dialogue. These moments allow us to:
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Teach practical nutrition tips and share affordable shopping strategies
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Offer one-on-one health advice
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Distribute protein-rich food supplies like milk, beans, cheese, and eggs
And most importantly, we build trust.
“Gracias por los alimentos que nos dan, eso nos ayuda mucho, ustedes siempre están pendientes de nosotros.”
(“Thank you for the food you give us. It helps us a lot. You’re always looking out for us.”)
The Power of Showing Up
Whether it’s preparing a traditional dish, hosting a cooking class, or simply being present with a smile and a helping hand, the Outreach Team brings healthcare to life. These gatherings are more than educational—they are transformational.
“Ustedes siempre llegan con las manos llenas de sorpresas, muchas gracias.”
(“You always arrive with your hands full of surprises—thank you.”)
We want to thank NCFHP and our network partners—Haywood Christian Ministries, HCM’s Food Hub, From Farm to Table, and all of our generous donors—for making these moments possible for our migrant farmworker community.
It’s because of you that we’re able to create such beautiful moments of connection, joy, and health. Your support helps us nourish more than bodies—it helps us nourish community.