For children and families in underserved communities, access to nutritious food and health education is as essential as the lessons learned in the classroom. NOURISH Mt. Olivet Lab School, established in 1980 as Mount Olivet Lab School, has made it its mission to integrate learning, nutrition and wellness into a single, community-centered model that improves health outcomes while fostering a sense of belonging.
Andrea Thomas, president and executive director of NOURISH, explains that the organization’s transition from Mount Olivet Lab School to NOURISH reflects a broader vision: “When people are nourished, communities thrive.”
The school was originally founded by Elnora Battle, a former educator and wife of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church pastor, who created a safe and enriching space for children in the community. Over the years, the program has evolved to meet the growing needs of the community, particularly in addressing food insecurity and wellness education.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, NOURISH adapted its model to include a food shelf, expanding its impact on local families. Partnering with Second Harvest Heartland, the organization provides fresh, organic produce and other rescued foods, ensuring that families have consistent access to healthy meals.
According to Second Harvest Heartland, one in 10 Minnesotans, more than 500,000 people statewide, experience food insecurity, including over 250,000 children. In the Twin Cities, Black, Indigenous, and Latino households are nearly twice as likely to struggle with access to nutritious food compared with white households.
“We don’t limit visits,” Andrea Thomas says. “Families can come every time our doors are open. No restrictions. We want them to feel supported every week, not just once a month.”
The school’s innovative approach includes “Hour of Power” Sundays, when seniors and immunocompromised community members can shop without waiting in long lines. Each distribution serves hundreds of families, translating to over 1,000 individuals fed at a time.
NOURISH also incorporates hands-on education, including discussions on health, wellness and nutrition tailored to the cultural and dietary needs of the community. Research shows that access to culturally relevant healthy foods, combined with nutrition education, can significantly improve long-term health outcomes in communities of color, where rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are disproportionately high.
To ensure equitable access, NOURISH focuses on rescuing healthy foods that would otherwise go to waste. “We are intentional about the food we provide,” Andrea Thomas says. “Much of it comes from Second Harvest Heartland and includes organic fruits and vegetables, proteins, and other fresh items that families might not otherwise be able to afford.”
Across Minnesota, food shelves report that only about 40% of the foods they distribute are fresh produce, highlighting the importance of programs like NOURISH that prioritize nutritional value. Families visiting the food shelf also receive guidance on how to incorporate these foods into their diets, helping to address health disparities linked to poor nutrition.
NOURISH’s model emphasizes dignity and accessibility. Families can walk in for food distributions or schedule appointments for urgent needs, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the program. The school also engages children in volunteer opportunities, fostering a culture of service and community responsibility from a young age. For many children, this is an introduction to nutrition, wellness, and social responsibility in a hands-on setting.
The organization’s approach has caught national attention. NOURISH is part of the American Heart Association’s EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator, a program supporting mission-driven organizations working to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. “Being part of this cohort has allowed us to refine our model and think strategically about how to address diabetes, heart disease, and other health disparities that disproportionately affect our community,” Andrea Thomas says.
Andrea emphasizes that NOURISH is not just about food; it is also about creating healthy communities. “We take input from our neighbors seriously and continually adapt our programs to better serve them. This is community-driven health innovation in action.” The school actively collects feedback through surveys and conversations, ensuring that its programs reflect the needs and preferences of the community.
NOURISH also seeks to remove the stigma around accessing nutrition support. “Everyone deserves good, nutritious food. Our dream is to make the experience of visiting our food shelf as comfortable as shopping at any local grocery store, except it’s free. We want it to be second nature,” Andrea Thomas says. By integrating nutrition, wellness education, and community engagement, NOURISH is creating a sustainable model that addresses both immediate food needs and long-term health outcomes.
As NOURISH continues to grow, the focus remains clear: nourishing bodies, educating minds, and empowering families. Through innovative programming, culturally relevant education, and strong partnerships, the organization is setting a new standard for holistic health and wellness education in underserved areas.
Families in the Twin Cities and beyond now have access to fresh food, guidance on healthy eating, and a community-centered approach that strengthens both physical and social well-being.
For more information on NOURISH, including volunteer opportunities and distribution hours, visit www.mtolivetlabschool.org, or follow them on Facebook.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.