Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative

The Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative (AUNI) ia a key component of Netter Center's university-assisted community schools. AUNI was developed from an ABCS course taught by Francis Johnston, Professor of Anthropology, in 1991. It was created to help build and sustain healthy communities by promoting nutrition education, food access, and physical fitness in West Philadelphia.

AUNI offers hands-on school day, after school, and summer learning opportunities for students K-12 and their families at university-assisted community schools (UACS) in West Philadelphia. In partnership with teachers and school staff, and with support from undergraduate and graduate students, AUNI introduces children to locally grown, fresh and nutritious food options. 

Through our signature after-school activities — which include fruit stands, project clubs, cooking clubs, and garden clubs — students of all ages develop advanced skills and lead the charge of promoting a positive and healthy school culture.

The Good Food Bag Program and accompanying school gardens are a food access project of AUNI. This community-supported agriculture program distributes fresh produce at no cost to UACS families through the fruits and vegetables produced in school gardens and other local farms. K-12 and Penn students are involved with all aspects of the gardens through planning, maintaining, and harvesting. Sayre High School features a 1/3 acre school courtyard garden, while Hamilton Elementary School (grades K-8) features an edible garden with over forty raised growing mediums and a food forest around the school’s perimeter. 

Several ABCS courses across Penn's schools partner with AUNI. Penn Nursing and Arts and Sciences have many, long-standing ABCS courses and partnerships with AUNI. In addition, Perelman School of Medicine's Culinary Medicine course partners with UACS high school students, teaching healthy cooking classes and organizing UACS community dinners. 

Each summer, AUNI provides job training and leadership development for high school students, particularly in urban agriculture and peer nutrition education. 

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For more information about AUNI, please contact:

Jarrett Stein, Director of Health Partnerships and Social Ventures, steinjm@sas.upenn.edu