CalFresh delivers plants to elementary school

Adapting educational strategies to the San Mateo County Shelter-in-Place order, CalFresh Healthy Living and the Healthy Living Ambassador Program partnered with Contra Costa County Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County 4-H and Elkus Ranch to provide students at Pescadero Elementary School with plants and face masks.

Included in the delivery were 235 cucumbers, tomato, gray squash, yellow zucchini, lettuce, kale and bean seedlings as well as 50 homemade facemasks during the school’s regular Tuesday distribution of educational packets and school meals. Students were excited to receive the plants, compost, and instructional materials, which went to 65 families in total. The distribution effort was also enthusiastically supported by the school’s principal, Phil Hophan, who demonstrated the planting process during a remote Zoom lesson for students. Facemasks produced by Santa Clara County 4-H youth were distributed in response to students stating that their lack of access to facemasks were inhibiting their ability to freely shop for groceries and access outdoor exercise opportunities. A second facemask distribution via a home delivery is being planned for students whose parents are farm workers and are unable to pick up meals and educational packets because their parents are at work.