Pictured: Beezer aims to use ninety percent of what he grows in the garden to nourish children. Provided photo.

Every Monday morning, Garfield Beezer is greeted by bright smiles from children and heartfelt thanks from parents, many of whom say it's hard to match the fresh, nutritious meals he serves once the weekend arrives. As Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Easterseals Southwest Florida, Beezer prepares breakfast, lunch and snacks for about 80 children every weekday.

Beezer's culinary journey began in Jamaica, where he owned a restaurant serving people transitioning to a vegan lifestyle. An experienced farmer, he saw perfectly good crops go to waste when they weren't exported, so he incorporated those products into his menu. While his clientele may be a bit different today, his work is similar–he is still using most of the produce grown in the school garden, the Impact100 SRQ Grow and Learn Garden—known simply as "the farm"–to create fresh, nutritious meals for his students. This nearly one-acre, wheelchair-accessible facility was established with a grant from Impact100 SRQ on land provided by Bayside Pet Resort and Bob and Lynne Huff. Beezer not only designed and built the farm but continues to manage and plant it alongside volunteers to ensure the children receive healthy daily meals.

"I was a farmer first, so when I came here, I was looking for something fulfilling that connected me to what I was doing before I migrated—something related to farming and feeding people," he explains. With Easterseals, he has found that connection and so much more. "Every day is different here. These kids definitely keep me on my toes."

Beezer, who was more than familiar with the demanding hours of restaurant and catering work, was determined to find a career that also prioritized family. Now, with a four-year-old and another child on the way, he has found that balance. His wife, Jody-Ann, is also part of the Easterseals family as director of Lily Preschool.

Beezer accepted his position in 2017, thinking he'd give it a try and see how it went. Nine years later, his work has become far more than a job—it has become a cherished part of life for the families of Easterseals Southwest Florida.

Pictured: Beezer aims to use ninety percent of what he grows in the garden to nourish children. Provided photo.