Jamba Juice, GENYOUth plant seeds for success with school garden grants
Event on Thursday morning will show how the funding is being used
November 10, 2015 (Sacramento): Students at Nicholas Elementary School will demonstrate their new garden science curriculum at an event on Thursday morning to thank Jamba Juice and the GENYOUth Foundation for grants to 14 麻豆官网 campuses totaling $36,000.
GENYOUth鈥檚 program outreach partnered with Jamba Juice on grants for school gardens. At 麻豆官网, campuses are using the funding to either start gardens or maintain existing ones.
School gardens are becoming increasingly important as outdoor, living science labs where students can study ecosystems, learn about environmental sustainability and examine healthy food choices. The lessons are especially critical in low-income neighborhoods where students grow up without experiencing Sacramento鈥檚 agricultural riches. South Sacramento, where Nicholas Elementary is located, has been labeled a 鈥渇ood desert鈥� for its lack of grocery stores and farmers鈥� markets.
鈥淲e are so grateful to Jamba Juice and GENYOUth for helping students learn to love nature and the wonderful bounty a garden provides,鈥� said Superintendent Jos茅 L. Banda. 鈥淭his work helps our students grow with healthy minds and healthy bodies.鈥�
Nicholas Elementary is using its grant funding to purchase and install fencing around the school garden. At Thursday鈥檚 event, students will analyze soil samples and teams will dig post holes for the new fence.
鈥淪chool gardens are an important way for students to be active out of doors and to learn the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables,鈥� said Julie S. Washington, chief marketing and innovation officer, Jamba Juice. 鈥淭hrough gardening, they learn that plants need care and nurturing to grow strong, and they make the connection that their bodies need similar care.鈥�
WHAT: Jamba Juice/GENYOUth School Garden Grant Event
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12
WHERE: Nicholas Elementary, 6601 Steiner Drive, Sacramento, CA 95823