School Cafeterias

OUR MISSION

EcoSPACES is a multidimensional co-curricular program designed to give students the tools to lead healthy and environmentally productive lives in the 21st century.  Utilizing unique learning environments, we seek to inspire students to embrace the highest principles of environmental and nutritional stewardship.  It is our hope that students will make informed decisions for living a life that benefits their bodies and our planet, while understanding the interconnectedness of all living things.

The elementary/middle school program within Commodore Options School--the multiage, alternative, choice school in Bainbridge Island School District--Odyssey 1-6 gave up a chunk of playground to create a garden space that now includes rich soil, a greenhouse, a shed, fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and a brand new orchard. We developed a school garden to raise student awareness of where food comes from, how enjoyable it is to grow, and how fun and nutritious it is to eat.

 Ready, Set, GROW! is a permaculture education program at Humboldt Park School in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI. The mission of the program is to provide the HPS community with education and resources to incorporate permaculture into their everyday lives, and to implement a permaculture garden at the school. 

Among the many benefits of school gardening, the ultimate goal of the Valley View School District is to utilize the garden to cultivate healthier eating habits in students. Studies show that children who are involved in edible school gardens have increased their daily vegetable and fruit consumption by 2.5 servings per day (American Dietetic Association, 2007). Furthermore, growing and harvesting their own food increases children’s willingness to try new fruits and vegetables and improves their knowledge and attitudes toward these foods.