262907296 · AZ ↑ parent cluster ·
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MOLLEN FOUNDATION FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY

AZ · EIN 262907296 · $178K rev · operational · advocacy · www.mollenfoundation.org
profile

Mollen Foundation for Childhood Obesity is a nonprofit focused on transforming school food systems through regenerative agriculture and farm-to-school initiatives. The organization supports Arizona schools in integrating sustainable practices that improve student health, connect youth with local food, and restore ecological balance. Programs include hands-on garden education, teacher training, and community events like the Hoops for Happiness basketball tournament to fund these efforts.

activities · 11

what they do

direct service · 9
  • Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Charity Sports & Recreation Tournaments
    Hosts an annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise funds for regenerative school food programs.
  • Community Education and Engagement in Regenerative Food Practices Desert Food Harvesting & Processing Education
    Offers in-person and online educational opportunities including classes on mesquite harvesting and storage, preparation for harvest, and guided walkabouts with local experts. Also hosts community milling events using a food-grade hammer mill and conducted specialized events like a mesquite milling event in 2025.
  • Community Education and Engagement in Regenerative Food Practices Desert Food Harvesting & Processing Education
    Offers in-person and online educational programming, including classes on mesquite harvesting and storage, preparation for harvest, and guided walkabouts with local experts. Also hosts community milling events using a food-grade hammer mill.
  • Fundraising through Community Events Charity Sports & Recreation Tournaments
    Hosts an annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise funds in support of regenerative school food programs.
  • Fundraising through Community Sports Events Charity Sports & Recreation Tournaments
    Hosts an annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise funds specifically for regenerative school food programs.
  • Offers classes and events focused on mesquite, including basics, storage of pods, preparation for harvest, and community milling events using a food-grade hammer mill. The program also includes in-person walkabouts with local guides.
  • Regenerative School Food Systems Program School-Based Garden & Food Systems Education
    Operates a year-long program supporting school teams to transform food systems through regenerative farm-to-school practices, including a three-day retreat for action planning and ongoing coaching. The program also includes transforming schoolyards—such as converting concrete lots into productive gardens—that serve as living classrooms.
  • Regenerative School Food Systems Program School-Based Garden & Food Systems Education
    Supports school teams through a year-long program to transform food systems using regenerative farm-to-school practices, including a three-day retreat for action plan creation and ongoing coaching. This program aims to integrate regenerative practices into school food systems to benefit student health, local food networks, and ecological balance.
  • Regenerative School Food Systems Transformation School-Based Garden & Food Systems Education
    Operates a year-long program that supports school teams in transforming food systems through regenerative farm-to-school practices, including a three-day retreat for action plan creation and ongoing coaching. Includes redesigning school food environments, such as converting concrete yards into educational gardens.
capacity building · 2
  • Arizona Farm to School Network Co-Convening Local Food System Development
    Co-convenes the Arizona Farm to School Network to support and expand farm-to-school initiatives across the state, building capacity among schools and local food providers.
  • Arizona Farm to School Network Coordination Local Food System Development
    Co-convenes the Arizona Farm to School Network to support and expand farm-to-school initiatives across the state, fostering collaboration and capacity building among schools, farmers, and community organizations.
strategies · 15

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.

named programs · 6

what they call their work

Arizona Farm to School Collaborative
Year-long program providing school teams with training, retreats, and coaching to implement regenerative farm-to-school action plans and build sustainable food systems.
Arizona Farm to School Network
Statewide network that connects educators, farmers, and advocates to strengthen local food systems and expand equitable access to fresh, locally grown food in schools.
Garfield's Garden on the Corner
Hands-on educational garden transforming a concrete schoolyard into a living classroom where students grow food and learn about ecosystems and environmental stewardship.
Hoops for Happiness
Annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament that raises funds for regenerative school food programs while promoting wellness and community engagement among participants aged 7 and up.
Milling with Mollen
Seasonal community program offering mesquite harvesting education, walkabouts, and milling events in partnership with Urban Farm and Bee Oasis to promote regenerative food sources.
Regenerative Schools
Professional development, consulting, and grant-writing support for schools and districts to implement regenerative practices focused on soil health, biodiversity, and ecological resilience.
relationships · 5

who they work with

  • Arizona Farm to School Network Partner — Co-convenes the network to support farm-to-school efforts statewide.
  • DesertHarvesters.org Partner — Collaborates with DesertHarvesters.org in Tucson to help others with mesquite pod harvesting.
  • Garfield's Garden on the Corner Partner — Collaborative initiative to transform a schoolyard into an educational garden.
  • Urban Farm and Bee Oasis Partner — Partner that makes the "Milling with Mollen" seasonal program possible.
  • Victorium Partner — Host venue for the Hoops for Happiness basketball tournament.