HyVee, in partnership with the Liberty Hospital Foundation, awarded Kansas City Community Gardens with a one-time grant to assist KCCG’s Schoolyard Gardens program in Buchanan, Ray, Platte, and Clay counties. Funds from the HyVee grant will help KCCG to establish five new schoolyard gardens and enroll two schools in the 9-week intensive ‘Grow in the Garden’ program.
The Schoolyard Garden program works with schools metro-wide to establish vegetable gardens on school grounds. KCCG staff involve students in every stage of the planning, construction, planting, tending, and harvesting of gardens on their own school grounds. Past success of this program has shown to increase students’ interest in eating healthy foods and continuing a lifelong practice of growing their own food.
North Kansas City School District Food Services Assistant Director Andrea Wilholt says, “North Kansas City Schools appreciates and is excited about the sponsorship awarded to us by Hy-Vee in support of expanding Schoolyard Gardens. This hands-on learning opportunity will broaden the educational experience for many students. We are thankful for our partnership with Hy-Vee.”
Schoolyard Gardens Coordinator, MaryAnna Henggeler, is looking forward to the expansion. “Schoolyard Gardens is excited about this opportunity that will provide us to expand our gardens north of the river – exposing more students to fresh vegetables and fruit!”
KCCG’s Executive Director Ben Sharda says, “We are extremely grateful for our new partnership with Hy-Vee and The Liberty Hospital Foundation. It will be a huge benefit for schools in the Northland, as we work to expand access to nutrition education for all KC Metro students.”
