Abbey Gardens has had an ongoing program "sprouts and snacks" that has been teaching school kids about sustainable and healthy foods.
Background
This pilot program series is a partnered project between Abbey Gardens, Food for Kids &
Archie Stouffer Elementary School (ASES)
The long term vision for the project is to provide an experiential opportunity for students to
learn and become involved with a community oriented, “giving back”, food system:
planting, nurturing, harvesting, preparing and providing food back to schools and the
students.
o Students learn about, and become engaged with, growing, harvesting and preparing
local food with the intent of “giving back” to the community through school food
programs
o To provide an educational opportunity for all levels of registered students within
Haliburton Highlands school system.
o See original proposal, Appendix #1
The content of programming aims to complement the Science, Health & Physical Ed.
curriculum, “Healthy Kids & Healthy Choices” as well as the “Feed All Four”(body, mind,
emotion, spirit) philosophy
o Enrichment programs help develop healthy eating habits & lifestyle, heightening
interest and responsibility in giving back to their community and appreciation of the
natural environment essential to growing healthy food
Funding/Resources:
o ASES – funding request to TLDSB alternate/enrichment funding
Help cover Abbey Gardens & ASES staff support, student transportation and
garden tools
o Food for Kids – existing funds for snack ingredients
o Abbey Gardens - partial subsidizing of human resources (programming staff,
maintenance of gardens, etc.); garden space and materials; and storage space
Pilot project:
o Students:
Student ambassadors from grades 3-7.
20 students were nominated by their teachers.
Student ambassadors nominated based on their level of natural
inquisitiveness.
Grade 7 students will potentially become next fall’s mentors.
There is opportunity for students