Farm to School program teaching SA students healthy lesson

Program designed to teach students how to grow own vegetables, fruit

SAN ANTONIO – A nationwide program called Farm to School could soon be teaching some San Antonio Independent School District elementary students a healthy life lesson.

The program is designed to teach students how to grow their own vegetables and eventually grow their garden big enough so they can supply their own cafeteria with fresh vegetables.

Music teacher Rachel Woodward helps run a similar program at Wilson Elementary School. She has been working with the students for four years. 

"It occurred to me that after the first or second year of teaching that our kids don't have any idea where there food comes from," said Woodward. "Now they know how long it takes to get from a seed to a fruit or vegetable." 

There are about 30 members in the afterschool Garden Club learning to grow their own veggies. The students consist of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.

The kids also learn the nutritional value of the fruits and veggies, and to expand their taste.

"If that kid works hard enough to plant a seed, to nurture it, to grow it to fruition, they are going to eat that thing whatever it is," said Woodward.

Salomon Sanchez is a Garden Club member and says the veggies are ready to eat right off the vine. "They are fresh and that is not what you get in the store," Sanchez said.  

The children have been working hard and now to get to see the fruits of their labor. 

"Hearing them say their relationship with food has changed and they love zucchini, and they love tomatoes, that's music to my ears," Heather Hunter, Farm to School Program.

If you are interested in learning more about Farm to School, you send an email to: farmtoschoolsa@gmail.com.