Program objectives• Increase consumption of fruits and

vegetables

Chef demonstrations of easy preparations of fresh local produce are a great addition to the program. It encourages the youth to try fruits

and vegetables prepared in new ways.

Children will taste fruits and vegetables grown in the gardens and be introduced to

others they may have never tasted.

Children will taste fruits and vegetables grown in the gardens and be introduced to others they may have never tasted.

• Improve nutritional habits

Children will taste a variety of vegetables and fruits; explore MyPlate, along with important nutrients and habits for healthy eating; and be introduced to basic food safety and food handling practices.

• Improve understanding of plant science

Through classroom lessons and activities, children will learn basic plant science concepts.

• Develop indoor and outdoor gardening skills

Children will propagate plants indoors using a greenhouse, grow lights and sunny windowsills. They will also plant and maintain outdoor vegetable gardens through harvest.

• Increase environmental awareness

Children will experience how gardens and people fit into the natural environment. They will learn to compost, identify garden insects and diseases and observe seasonal changes.

GARDEN A nutrition and gardening

program

Lessons on:• Nutrition• Food Safety• Plant Science• Hands-on

gardening• Environmental

awareness

an equal opportunity/ADA institution

Eating from the Garden

provides research-based

information through nutrition

and gardening activities to

increase consumption of

fruits and vegetables, and

promote healthier food choices,

gardening knowledge and

physical activity.

Eating from the Garden is designed to be usedin group settings like a school classroom, an after-school program or a community center program. It includes a variety of fun nutrition and gardening activities.

Each lesson contains learning objectives, core activities and supplies needed. Additional activities are included if you have more time to teach nutrition or gardening in your setting. Each lesson includes a newsletter for students to take home. Lessons have been cross-referenced with the Missouri Grade Level Expectations.

Eating from the Garden is designed to be taught biweekly in the spring and fall, and monthly during the winter months. The lessons are based on a one-hour class with additional activities for longer time periods. Weekly alternating nutrition and gardening lessonswill allow for more time for fruit and vegetable preparations and additional activities in the garden.

The Eating from the Garden curriculum is unique because:

• It combines nutrition and gardening in lessons that incorporate outdoor garden produce that kids grow and maintain themselves.

• Students get hands-on learning about plantscience and nutrition that involves growing and maintaining gardens.

• Students harvest produce and learn healthy recipes to incorporate into their diet.

• Teachers can easily incorporate Eating from the Garden curriculum into their classroom schedules because of the flexible format.

• It’s inexpensive after start-up costs.

• It’s an excellent curriculum to supplement educational component in youth gardening (e.g., community gardens, school and community centers, home school gardens).

• It’s a fun way to teach kids to eat better and learn about growing food.

For more information about Eating from the Garden, go online to missourifamilies.org/eatfromgarden/ or contact:

Eating From the Garden is available online at:

extension.missouri.edu/p/N755