Snoop Launches Initiative to Feed Jamaican Children
Pop culture icon Snoop Lion announced a new partnership in support of the Mind Gardens Project, his latest non-profit initiative to establish sustainable, organic community gardens that will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to school aged children in Jamaica. Beverage maker Reed’s Ginger Brew has joined the effort to give back to Jamaica, adding momentum as they prepare to launch a massive Mind Gardens awareness campaign on Causes.com.
Earlier this year, Snoop Lion unveiled his latest project, Reincarnated, which consists of a soon-to-be released album, a photo book, and a feature length documentary by VICE Films and Snoopadelic films illustrating Snoop’s evolution and transition from rap to reggae. This dramatic change came about as a result of Snoop’s recent personal journey to Jamaica and his time spent with the culture and people of the land. Wanting to give something back in return, Snoop partnered with entrepreneur and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria of Paul Mitchell and Patron Spirits for the Mind Gardens Project.
“When I went to Jamaica we took time to visit these communities in Kingston, and I was deeply affected by the poverty and lack of good food available to the children,” says Snoop Lion. “No child should go hungry. After all the inspiration Jamaica had provided me, I felt compelled to create a program to give back to the community.”
The Mind Gardens Project has already begun work in Kingston, Jamaica with locations in the neighborhoods of Trench Town and Tivoli Gardens. Here, local residents are provided with tools and resources to help them effectively grow their own food. Plans for additional domestic and international locations are in the works for the future.
As a first step to help raise awareness for the initiative, the Mind Gardens Project, with the support of Reed’s Ginger Brew, has launched a campaign on Causes.com, which empowers people to take the Mind Gardens Pledge and make an effort to learn more about their own local community gardens. Everyone who takes the pledge will have the chance to win a year’s supply of Reed’s Ginger Brew by visiting www.causes.com/mindgardens . As the Mind Gardens Project launches, the partnership with Reed’s Ginger Brew brings a new element of positive synergy and perfectly complements Snoop Lion’s efforts to provide children with proper nutrition. Reed’s Ginger Brews, founded in 1989, is based on traditional Jamaican style ginger ales or “ginger beers” as the locals call it. When Reed’s CEO and Founder, Chris Reed, learned of Snoop Lion’s Mind Gardens Project, he knew he wanted to get involved.
“We’ve been looking for a way to give back to Jamaica,” says Chris Reed. “Nothing is more basic than food in helping people help themselves. Snoop helping to educate the world on how to eat better, and encouraging communities to grow their own organic food — this is very positive change. We are also excited about rolling out this project to many U.S. cities. My company has always tried to offer people better, healthier options when it comes to what they drink. Our larger goal is about helping people live better, healthier lives. Snoop’s Mind Gardens Project is in line with our vision. We have committed a percentage of our sales this year to help fund the program.”
“This is just the start, we have some big plans to roll out Mind Gardens stateside in the year to come,” says Snoop Lion. “We can all do our part to help people eat healthier and live better. Bless up! Jah Rastafari!”
Pictured: Rapper Snoop Lion speaks onstage at the ‘Reincarnated’ press conference during the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 7, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
