The school currently has three gardens where students cultivate vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, radishes and herbs. After harvesting, they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. "I really like the marjoram we planted and I love watching it grow," said fourth-grader Layla Sanders.
More and more schools in the US are implementing a model of growing and serving their own food to their students.
The Farm to School initiative is becoming increasingly popular in schools across the United States. This program not only helps students learn about science and agriculture , but also provides knowledge about food preparation and healthy nutrition.
According to the Farm to School Network, these programs help children develop a willingness to try new foods and encourage 44.2% of students to eat more fruits and vegetables.
In addition to encouraging students to eat more green foods at school, about 22% of school districts with school gardens also incorporate their harvests into summer food programs. These school farms often expand into “Farm to Summer” programs, helping kids stay active and continue learning throughout the summer months.
Photo illustration: Mount Desert Islander
Practical applications in schools
One school that has successfully implemented this model is Trenton Elementary School in Maine. "Our goal is to integrate the greenhouse and garden into the school culture and into the classroom curriculum," said Whitney Ciancetta, greenhouse coordinator at the school.
Ciancetta says that since the program began a year ago, teachers and cafeteria staff have noticed that students are eating more vegetables. Maybe it’s because homegrown vegetables taste better, or maybe it’s simply because they feel proud of their work. Whatever the reason, Ciancetta believes that any program that gets a second grader excited about kale is a good thing.
The school grows a variety of vegetables in its greenhouse, including cucumbers, carrots, onions, cabbage, potatoes, and peppers. The greenhouse was designed last year with the help of seventh-graders to maximize the growing space. The school has also begun working with FoodCorps (a branch of the AmeriCorps national service program) toeducate students about healthy eating habits. In addition, the school hosts monthly “taste testing” sessions where students get to taste the vegetables they grow.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), these gardens are not only a space for students to learn about insects, local plants, and practice gardening skills, but also contribute to forming healthy eating habits for them from a young age.
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