I love hearing stories about kids doing great things and this one is really exciting, for a few reasons. The students and staff at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School in Phoenix are about to receive a gift that will create a foundation of food knowledge and appreciation that will last a lifetime.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary was nominated over the summer and was then selected recently to win the first-ever contest. The winning schools will receive a comprehensive Captain Planet Foundation Learning Garden. The Learning Garden is valued at $2,500 and comes complete with lesson kits, all the supplies needed to establish a working schoolyard garden, a fully equipped garden cooking cart as well as the necessary strategies for garden maintenance.
“We’re looking forward to the garden installation and program implementation at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School,” said Ashley Shick, Director of Communications & Public Affairs for Bashas’ and Food City supermarkets. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn more about where their food comes from.”
The Learning Garden program presents a context for multidisciplinary exploration that will range from nutrition and science to social studies, math and language arts. The participating students will benefit by trying new foods, enjoying access to the freshest healthy foods and leaning about food origins.
The garden is anticipated to be installed next spring. “The kids will really enjoy planting their gardens and seeing what wonderful items they will be able to grow and harvest,” said Larry White, Vice President of Sales for Dole Packaged Foods.