Seeds of Nutrition Program

Mission

To positively shape kids relationship to food through experiential whole foods nutrition education, for a lifetime of good health.

Goals

• Educate students about nutrition through the context of food - what it is, where it comes from, why and when to eat it, and how to prepare it. 
• Develop successful, sustainable whole foods nutrition and gardening education programming within partner schools.
• Provide a resource for educators who desire to develop and implement nutrition and gardening education programming in their schools.
• Encourage community, parent, and volunteer participation in school gardening and nutrition education activities.
• Connect schools to local farmers and the communities they serve.

• Seeds of Nutrition Program
• About Us
• A Letter From the President of the Mendez Foundation

At the core of the Seeds of Nutrition Program is a belief that teaching whole foods nutrition through hands-on learning experiences in the garden, classroom, kitchen and beyond, is the best way for kids to develop a healthy relationship to food. We believe teaching whole foods nutrition coupled with kids learning the skills necessary to make healthy food choices in everyday life, is key to cultivating a lasting relationship to healthy eating for life. And healthy eating and healthy kids go hand-in-hand.

Connecting kids to healthy food in authentic ways is the easiest and most direct way to positively influence their eating habits. Teaching nutrition through the context of food not only strengthens the message, it makes it real. Recent studies indicate that students who grow food are more likely to try and enjoy fresh produce. “Eat your veggies,” becomes fun for kids when they learn to grow vegetables in their own school garden. In addition to teaching kids to grow vegetables and fruits in the organic school garden, the Seeds of Nutrition educators teach them how to prepare delicious and nutritious recipes using the fruits of their labor. While we emphasize the consumption of nutrient-dense whole foods in all our lessons and activities, we focus on the fact that the healthiest food choices for our bodies are also the best choices for the planet. In addition, we explore our shared historical and cultural connections to food and the role food plays in the lives of our families and communities. 

By collaborating with teachers and administrators, the Seeds of Nutrition Educators co-create lessons in language arts, math, science, social studies and the arts, that further explore the world of food in the garden environment while focusing on the discipline of the core curriculum. Writing about garden insects and butterflies or measuring ingredients for healthy salad dressing bring language arts and math to life for kids and teachers alike.

For more information about the seeds we're planting in Georgia schools, contact Seeds of Nutrition Program Manager Seth Freedman sfreedman@mendezfoundation.org