LEAF Named Best Community Organization in Tri-City Voice

We're honored to share that LEAF was voted #1 Community Organization in Tri-City Voice's local reader poll. This recognition comes straight from our volunteers and neighbors here in Fremont and the East Bay, and it's a reflection of the regenerative agriculture, education, and community-building work happening at the LEAF Community Garden and LEAF Urban Farm every day.

Being chosen by the people we work alongside means so much to us! . Here's to growing together in the year ahead.

Find us on the Tri-City Voice “Best of Pets & Families” page. 

To get involved, find all of our upcoming events here.

LEAF Receives $5,000 from Sprouts Healthy Community Foundation

On Sept. 19, LEAF received a $5,000 donation from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, presented right at our local Sprouts Farmers Market in Fremont!

This gift is part of Sprouting Healthy Communities Day, when Sprouts stores across 26 states hand out $2.75 million to more than 550 nonprofit partners, all on the same day. Funds like this go straight into our educational programming, farm operations, and helping more Fremont families live sustainably.

A huge thank you to Sprouts Farmers Market and the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation for investing in our community!

LEAF Joins the Fremont Chamber of Commerce

LEAF is now a member of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce! Joining the Chamber connects us with local businesses, civic leaders, and fellow nonprofits across Fremont, opening new doors for partnerships that support our work in environmental education, regenerative agriculture and food access throughout the East Bay.

We're looking forward to building relationships that help LEAF grow its reach and deepen its roots in the Fremont business community.

Are you a member of the Chamber of Commerce? Reach out to see how we might be able to collaborate.

A Note from StopWaste: California Beverage Container Recycling Program Update

California's beverage container recycling program has hit a huge milestone: 550 billion containers recycled since 1987, or about 450 cans and bottles per person, per year. Statewide, 71% of beverage containers sold get collected and recycled, preventing 300,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

But the system is straining. California has lost half its bottle return recycling centers in the last decade, down to around 1,200 statewide, largely due to falling scrap values and underpayments from an outdated subsidy formula. That's a hit to community members who rely on redemption income, not just to recycling rates.

The good news: reforms are catching up. Wine, spirits, and larger juice containers joined the CRV program in 2024, and many larger retailers in underserved areas must now offer in-store redemption or join a dealer cooperative. New labeling rules and expanded access through reverse vending machines, mobile recycling, and bag-drop programs are rolling out too.

California News: The Library Parks Pass Is Here to Stay! 

California State Parks Foundation is celebrating landmark wins for park access, made possible by thousands of Californians who signed petitions and emailed legislators until the job was done.

Governor Newsom signed AB 1804 into law, permanently codifying the California State Library Parks Pass program. Library cardholders across the state can now count on free access to more than 200 state parks for good. The state budget also includes a permanent continuous appropriation for the program, which gives libraries, parks, and communities the long-term stability they have always deserved.

Thank you to First Partner Newsom, Director Armando Quintero, Secretary Wade Crowfoot, Assemblymember Gregg Hart, and every advocate who stood up for California's parks.

Get Your Library Parks Pass!