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Farm Group Supporting Edible Gardens in 100 California Preschools and Day Care Centers
A youngster checks out seedlings at a school garden event in San Pedro, May 2010 (Lindsay William-Ross/LAist)
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One California farm industry group has awarded $1,000 grants to 100 preschools and day care centers in the state so that they may build and grow edible school gardens.
The money provided by the Western Growers Foundation, through a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, is intended to be used for the schools' "garden enhanced nutrition education program," and can go towards what the gardens and kids need to get growing and thrive, like "garden equipment, garden and educational supplies, and professional development."
Western Growers Foundation, which is based in Irvine, "said the project is intended to let young children see firsthand where their food comes from and teach them healthy eating habits that could help curb increasing rates of childhood obesity," reports L.A. Now.
Gardens help kids understand where food comes from, and can serve as a hands-on way to teach concepts of school subjects these youngsters will encounter later on like math, science, art, and history. Learning about where fruits and veggies come from can also foster healthy eating habits in children.
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