Nugget Markets Sponsors Demonstration Kitchen at IVC

Nugget Markets Sponsors Demonstration Kitchen at IVC

KENTFIELD / NOVATO—September 6, 2018—At the July meeting, College of Marin (COM) Board of Trustees approved an agreement with Nugget Markets for sponsorship of the District’s Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden (IVOFG) demonstration kitchen, which opened for classes this month.
 
As part of the agreement, Nugget Markets will provide the District with at least $25,000 worth of in-kind products annually for use in the demonstration kitchen over the next three years. Nugget Markets will also help promote the IVOFG and related activities in its Marin County stores. 
 
In turn, the District will refer to the new facility as the Nugget Markets Demonstration Kitchen at the Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden. Additionally, the District will promote Nugget Markets in various IVOFG advertising materials; allow the use of District facilities for up to two events per year; and provide Nugget Markets associates with tailored, on-site academic counseling and use of facilities, which may lead to short-form workforce education provided by COM instructors.
 
Nugget Markets’ Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kate Stille is excited about how the partnership serves the community on so many levels. 

“Partnering with the College of Marin enables Nugget Markets to directly support and contribute to the communities’ exposure and educational opportunities at the Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden and its demonstration kitchen,” said Stille. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to play a part in COM’s farm-to-fork education and look forward to working together to expand employment opportunities to the communities that we both serve. We believe our partnership with the College of Marin is not only mutually beneficial, but a win-win for the entire community.”

In addition to enhancing the educational environment and creating opportunities to positively impact Marin County and its residents, supporting sustainable practices aligns with the missions of both organizations. 
 
Brainstorming about what future opportunities might look like has included ideas such as offering farm-to-table classes taught by Nugget Markets’ executive chef through COM’s Community Education Department, as well as collaborating on fundraising events to support the IVOFG.
 
A senior staff member from Nugget Markets will have a seat on one of the District’s program advisory committees (hospitality, sustainable agriculture, and/or business).
 
“As we meet the workforce education needs of the County we rely on the engagement and expertise of business and industry partners,” said Senior Vice President of Student Learning and Student Services Jonathan Eldridge. “We are very excited to have Nugget Markets involved in this important work and gain the added benefit of their commitment to organic farming and food education, which directly supports the Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden and its new classroom facilities.”
 
A ribbon cutting ceremony for new classrooms and facilities, including the Nugget Markets Demonstration Kitchen, will be held as part of an open house on Saturday, September 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available online.