More than 500 third graders have started to make better nutritional choices thanks to the Learn, Grow, Eat and Go! program established by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in San Antonio, according to AgriLife Today.
Through this program, students are encouraged to eat better and be more physically active in an effort to address health issues that affect millions of Texans, said Ruby Zavala, AgriLife Extension youth gardens coordinator for Bexar County.
“The curriculum, which was developed by our agency, focuses on growing a school garden, learning about nutrition and healthy eating, making better food choices and getting more exercise,” Zavala said. “It’s a very hands-on program that involves youth in planting, growing and harvesting their own vegetables, learning about nutrition, then using those vegetables to prepare nutritious recipes they can share with their families.”
A cornerstone of the easy-to-follow, 10-week youth curriculum is to establish a garden area at participating schools. Most of the schools, which were located in low-income communities of the greater San Antonio area, didn’t have a garden. Zavala noted the program helped the schools build gardens, providing many of the necessary tools and plants.
“We hope these kids will become ambassadors for nutrition and share what they have learned with their classmates, as well as take home the knowledge they’ve gained and share it with their families,” said Rosemary Fuentes, AgriLife Extension health and wellness program specialist for Bexar County.