Essential Ingredients Podcast 021: From Classrooms to Communities to Perpetuity with Stephen Ritz Part 2 (Re-release)
"The secret to success is the art and science of growing vegetables online to high-performing academic standards. So we are transforming both the lens of public education and personal eating outcomes." —Stephen Ritz
Imagine a classroom where students don't just read about science but experience it firsthand by growing their own food. This isn't some futuristic fantasy— it's the reality created by the Green Bronx Machine, a pioneering program that is transforming public education one school at a time.
Stephen Ritz is the visionary behind this game-changing initiative. As an educator, social entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for community empowerment, he has dedicated his life to unlocking the potential of underserved students through the power of hands-on, food-based learning.
Listen in as we revisit this classic episode and discover how Stephen's innovative approach is yielding remarkable results, from improved academic performance to greater environmental stewardship and a renewed sense of purpose.
Connect with Stephen:
Stephen Ritz is a South Bronx educator who believes that students should not have to leave their community to live, learn, and earn in a better one. An internationally acclaimed award-winning educator, Stephen is the author of the best-selling book, The Power Of A Plant, and founder of Green Bronx Machine.
Known as “America’s Favorite Teacher,” Stephen is responsible for creating the first edible classroom in the world, which he has evolved into the National Health, Wellness, and Learning Center. He and his students have grown more than 100,000 pounds of vegetables in the South Bronx. He was a Top Ten Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize, named Global Humanitarian, Food Tank Hero, TEDx Prize Winner, and a Global Food Educator, and has presented at the Obama White House three times. Stephen believes that together, via collaboration, and coalition and get to yes solutions, we can all prosper!
Connect with Green Bronx Machine:
Connect with NextGen Purpose:
Episode Highlights:
02:15 Steve’s Documentary
04:52 Steve’s Impact on Schools
06:29 Green Bronx Machine Curriculum and Accessibility
09:49 The Impact of Green Bronx Machine Programs
10:07 How to Donate to Green Bronx Machine
12:24 Student Success Despite Economic Challenges