At Alta Vista High School, the sound of shovels hitting soil and sight of fresh lumber coming together tell a powerful story of transformation. Volunteers are hard at work clearing overgrown plots, turning the earth and building raised garden beds that will soon overflow with fresh produce. Nearby, colorful stones and garden markers are painted to add personality to the space, while young helpers proudly pull carrots from the ground, a reminder of what these efforts truly mean.
This is the vision of Garden 31, a nonprofit dedicated to turning unused spaces into thriving gardens that nourish both people and communities. In neighborhoods where access to healthy food is limited, these gardens provide more than vegetables, they teach kids where food comes from and create spaces where neighbors connect over shared purpose.
That vision started with founder Chris Burroughs, who knows the power of second chances. After serving time in prison, he used his horticulture expertise to launch Garden 31 with a bold mission: strengthen communities by increasing access to nutritional food in a positive and encouraging environment.
“We want these guys to know that they don't have to fall into the same traps that we did,” Chris explains.
Through sustainable agriculture and career training, the nonprofit empowers at-risk youth and those who have served time to build food systems that foster independence and resilience.
“One of the things that we realized early on is that we can't just teach kids how to plant tomatoes and life changes for them,” he explained. “There's got to be some type of character development.”
Support from SDG&E’s volunteers and a shareholder-funded Environmental Champions Grant is helping expand farm training and agro-business programs for opportunity youth and increase access to fresh produce through the Foodshed Cooperative. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, education and community resilience.
The work at Alta Vista High School goes beyond gardening. It creates living classrooms where students learn life skills, families access fresh produce and communities grow stronger together. By partnering with Garden 31, SDG&E isn’t just helping plant seeds, they’re helping plant futures.