My passion for cooking & teaching is rooted in my desire to empower people of all ages to live a vibrant life while creating a healthier earth and a sustainable future.
My Story
Hello! My name is Cassie and my journey with food & healing started many years ago...
My grandmother, who was a professional ballerina, taught me how to nourish and care for my body through dance and healthy food. I remember a special cold room in her home filled with boxes of dried apricots and prunes, citrus, apples, pears, root vegetables, buckets of whole grains and beans. In the living room she had a ballet bar and a mirror where she taught me to dance. A small garden grew in the backyard with fresh snap peas, tomatoes, herbs, greens, peppers and strawberries.
“A happy and healthy community is not a fairytale. All you need is a seed.”
— NADIA Shabazz, FOUNDER
From the time I was small, my mom brought me into the kitchen to prepare homemade bread from wheatberries we ground into flour ourselves and wholesome meals for our family. While I didn't always appreciate the thick slices of brown bread in my sack lunches or the lack of sugary treats in our pantry, I now understand that I was given a rare gift. When I went to a friend's home and filled up on white bread, chips and soda, I loved the taste but I always got a tummy ache.
I was able to distinguish a difference in how processed versus real food made me feel and the impact it had on my health.
Our Mission
Kent County is one of the most severely underserved communities in Tennessee. To combat this adversity, Project Sprout seeks to nourish our neighbors at the most fundamental level with healthy food options and a strong support network. All members get a portion of each harvest and surpluses are donated to low-income families whose work schedules prevent them from volunteering.
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With ten gardens and counting, Project Sprout has seen a significant improvement in mental and physical health for all participating community members. Other than lowering obesity, blood pressure, and depression rates, the crime rate has also fallen. Our children are doing better in school, reporting higher grades and aspirations, and better job prospects.
Get Involved
If you live near one of our gardens, get involved to receive portions of each harvest. We accept volunteers regardless of skill level. There is a rotation in roles, but we’ll teach you all the skills you need to know. Teenagers 14 years and older can earn community service credits for school in addition to getting produce for their families. Donations are also vital to our growth, as we use them for seed, fertilizer, tools, and outreach.