- Author: Christopher Deleon
- Editor: Emily Harris
Growing your own garden can help you and your family save money and eat more fruits and vegetables! You can grow edible plants in your yard, in a pot, or anywhere you have space. Most plants just need a bit of water, some sunlight, and enough soil to grow into beautiful, food producing plants. Here is how you can get started this spring:
Image Source: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/photo-gallery/
Purchase seeds or plants.
Did you know that you can purchase edible plants and seeds with your EBT/SNAP Benefits? It's true! You can purchase any edible plant or seed from SNAP retailers and farmers markets. Click on the Ecology Center link to find the nearest farmers market near you -->Ecology Center
Image Source: https://www.snapgardens.org/
According to the USDA, "For every $1 dollar spent on seeds and fertilizer, home gardeners can grow an average of $25 worth of produce. Growing food from seeds and plants makes SNAP benefits last longer, allowing recipients to double the value of their benefits over time."
Learn more about purchasing edible plants and seeds with EBT/SNAP Benefits here.
Image Source: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/photo-gallery/
When choosing plants, try choosing plants that grow well during April. Here's a couple of fruits and vegetables you can look for: Beets, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Melons, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Spinach, Squash, Tomatoes, and Watermelons.
Reduce the amount of salt you use by growing your own herbs!
Herbs are perfect to grow at home and can be planted in small containers. Use them to give your meals extra flavor without using salt. Here are some ways you can use herbs in your meals:
Image Source: Eat Healthy, Be Active Curriculum
- Author: Carissa Villanueva
Image Source: http://bit.ly/2oIjsVS
We are so lucky to be living in the Central Valley, where local and fresh produce are at our fingertips! Spring, summer, and fall are perfect times to get some fresh air and check out your nearby farmers markets! Below are the top 10 reasons to shop at a farmers market, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):
- Freshly picked, in-season produce is at its peak in flavor and nutrition. Check out Plate Fresno's Seasonal Produce Guide.
- Support Central Valley farmers, small businesses, and local economy. Your healthy purchases help the Valley's farmland to thrive!
- A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables nourish our body with antioxidants and phytonutrients, which help strengthen our bodies, fight off disease, increase our energy, and keep our minds sharp.
- It's a great way to engage your kids in picking out healthy ingredients or snacks. Many kids enjoy cooking up recipes with fresh fruits and vegetables! Check out some kid-friendly recipes and ideas at Kids in the Kitchen.
- Strengthen your local community ties by meeting local farmers, learning about foods uniquely grown in the Central Valley, and running into a neighbor or two.
- Farmers markets offer lots of yummy choices to build your healthy MyPlate.
- Farmers know their products very well and often have recommendations for preparing them in the kitchen.
- Unsure about the taste of a new fruit or vegetable? Farmers will usually offer free samples to help you (and your child) choose your produce.
- SNAP and WIC benefits are accepted at some farmers markets.
- Farmers markets are all around us and easy to find. Check out Plate Fresno's interactive map: Fresno County Farmers Markets and Farm Stands. Just enter your zip code to find the nearest farmers markets and farm stands!
The timing's right so get out there and take advantage of the unique opportunity that the Central Valley offers!
- Author: Consuelo Cid
- Editor: Emily Harris
Garden-based learning offers a myriad of benefits to students.
Garden based learning:
- Allows teachers to integrate multiple subject areas like the natural and social sciences, mathematics, language arts, and nutrition.
- Enhances academic achievement.
- Connects students with nature.
- Teaches environmental stewardship.
- Encourages time outdoors.
Gardening grows more than just gardens: it grows students' minds!
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Vang Pao Elementary teacher, Jacquie Henderson, started a school garden during the 2015-2016 academic school year. Henderson is excited to expand her classroom garden this upcoming school year. Let's see what bounty they cultivated this past school year...
Can you guess what's growing at Vang Pao?
If you guessed yellow summer squash and tomatoes, you are correct!
Looks likes it's almost time to harvest again!
The garden was made possible by the work of Henderson's fifth grade class and students in the garden club at Vang Pao Elementary. They did an amazing job, and even donated their first harvest! Students enjoyed tasting the fruits of their labor, or in this case, the vegetables of their labor!
Great job Henderson's fifth grade class! I look forward to seeing what produce you decide to plant this school year.
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Did you know...
August 7-13, 2016 is National Farmers Market Week!
