Sowing Seeds for Healthy Kids is a new education curriculum from The Campus Kitchen organization that uses gardens as the teaching point to inform students about issues in their own households, communities and beyond like hunger, nutrition, healthy eating, food systems and waste.
Developed in part by food services company Sodexo, the educational program empowers young student volunteers to apply what they learn to make a difference in their own homes and local communities. The six-part program includes lesson plans, discussions and gardening guides to balance theory and hands-on learning.
So far, there are 43 Campus Kitchens that have been established across the United States. Surplus food that comes from the gardens is collected and given out to dining halls, community gardens, restaurants and grocery stores.
Empowering Food Projects
The Campus Kitchen Uses Gardens to Educate Kids on Food Waste and Hunger
Trend Themes
1. Community Gardens - Opportunities for food companies to invest in and support community gardens, contributing to sustainable and locally sourced produce.
2. Food Waste Reduction - Education programs designed to teach children about food waste and how to reduce it present opportunities for innovative solutions in food waste reduction.
3. Youth Empowerment - Investments in programs that empower youth through volunteerism and education provide opportunities to positively impact local communities and inspire future generations of leaders.
Industry Implications
1. Food Services - Food service companies can invest in community gardens and educate children about healthy eating as a way to provide locally sourced produce while promoting nutrition and environmental sustainability.
2. Education - Educational institutions can partner with food services companies and community organizations to incorporate experiential learning through garden projects into the curriculum.
3. Non-profit - Non-profit organizations can invest in programs that empower youth through volunteerism and education, creating opportunities to positively impact local communities and inspire future generations of leaders.