Mrs. Green’s Natural Markets announced a plan to donate organic gardens to 20 New York City schools.
The 30-inch by 15-inch gardens will provide a “hands-on” opportunity to learn where food comes from and understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle, said the retailer, which is preparing to open its first store in the city later this year.
“Mrs. Green’s believes that a healthy lifestyle is critical, and these learning gardens are the perfect tool to teach children that value at an early age,” said Pat Brown, CEO of Natural Markets Food Group, the parent company of Mrs. Green’s. “By having a garden inside their classroom, children can see firsthand their connection to the fruits and vegetables they grow, from start to finish. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids and the community.”
Mrs. Green’s is making the donation in partnership with Earth Day New York.
“We’re excited about this investment as it will bring a critical mass of gardens to one neighborhood,” said John Oppermann, executive director of Earth Day New York. “It will allow us to really engage with this particular community as we work with our partner schools to plant the gardens, integrate lessons on sustainability and healthy food into the curriculum, and connect students to sustainable food resources in the community.”
Earth Day New York is part of the larger Earth Day Connect organization, which has successfully placed gardens in dozens of classrooms across the country, including schools in New York, California, North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee.
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