“I’m Growing Food at Home!”
We were thrilled to hear that families from Parkview, Oriole Park, and Gladiola Elementary have been embracing gardening at home! During the recent Parent Open House events at all three schools, excitement filled the air as students proudly guided their parents through the gardens they helped cultivate. These vibrant gardens, full of fresh produce, were a testament to the students’ dedication and hard work.
Garden tours at each school began with a lively fruit salsa tasting, prepared by the H.O.P.E. Gardens staff. The flavorful salsa was a perfect introduction to the importance of healthy, garden-fresh eating. Each family also received a “Healthy Party Snacks” Cookbook filled with kid-friendly recipes, encouraging them to bring the joy of garden-to-table meals into their own homes.
As families explored the nature-based gardens, they were met with a variety of vegetables, and herbs, unique to each school’s garden. Students eagerly pointed out the plants they had cared for, sharing their knowledge about how they had grown and harvested them. Along the way, families enjoyed sampling fresh produce straight from the garden, discovering the delicious flavors of tomatoes, peppers, leafy greens, and more.
The pride in the students’ hard work—spanning both the school year and summer months—was clear for all to see. Parents beamed with pride as their children shared their gardening skills and knowledge. The garden tours at the Parent Open Houses were more than just a showcase of the gardens—they were a celebration of the connection between students, their families, and the schools, all united by a love for nature and learning.
Our goal at H.O.P.E. Gardens is to instill in students a love for gardening that will turn them into life-long cultivators of healthy fruits and vegetables. The gardens at Parkview, Oriole Park, and Gladiola Elementary have flourished into thriving spaces of growth and education. Many families left feeling inspired to start or expand their own gardens at home, motivated by their children’s excitement and the knowledge they gained through the school garden program. We couldn’t be prouder to see how the seeds of curiosity, health, and sustainability continue to grow!