As we bid farewell to a long, hot summer in Miami Beach and send our little ones back into a new school year - we also welcome one of our favorite times of the year - planting season!
Since 2009, South Pointe Elementary School has been fortunate to build, grow and sustain its very own Organic Edible Garden and Smoothie Garden.
The school garden's main goal is to educate and benefit our children. The commercialization of food in today's world has taken away a basic "farm to table" understanding amongst many Americans. School gardens are a fantastic way for up and coming generations to witness where and how food grows. School gardens also have a positive effect on children's vegetable intake. Put simply, if they plant it they will try it. And we can’t ask for more than that.
In the coming weeks, the children will plant a cornucopia of vegetables and herbs, and through this experience, they will understand and appreciate the value of harvesting something that started as a seed or a seedling. We truly hope visions of broccoli and string beans will dance through your child's head...
In the meantime, we encourage you to read more about the benefits of school gardens here and also read up on this great article posted on CNN recently.
There are many ways we fund the garden: from grants to our annual Green Market. This year we are taking part in the 2011-12 Fairchild Challenge. Last year we gained top honors (placing in the top 16 schools) and won $250 to use towards our garden. We will also apply for a Foodcorps School Garden Grant, through Whole Foods- who has been a supporter and friend to our garden program. Wish us luck!
Thank you for your continued support. Hope to see you in the garden this year- there's a lot growing on!
