TUCSON, Ariz. — Green thumbs at Oro Valley's Innovation Academy will get a little greener on Wednesday. Students will be harvesting fresh vegetables from their Captain Planet Foundation Learning Garden.
Innovation Academy and another school in Phoenix both earned a $1,500 grant for their outstanding dedication to establishing and maintaining care of their gardens. Teachers at the academy say they used the money to enhance their existing gardens last fall.
On Wednesday, students will join teachers and employees from Bashas', Dole, Food City and Captain Planet Foundation to harvest fresh produce including lettuce, kale and other greens.
Teachers say the idea is to help students both understand and appreciate what it takes to grow produce that can be found in local grocery stores.
Third Grade Teacher Mabel Rivera says by teachers taking a step back, students can see how their work can make a difference. "How they can make a difference in this world, and how to grow our own food, how to make make sure that things are healthy, how to provide for our families -- All of that is beautiful and wonderful and kids should be a part of that action."
Organizers say the students will use their harvest to make salads in a mobile cooking cart, which was also part of the reward earned in 2019.
