Waterloo Region School Food Gardens

We’ve all heard it plenty of times by now: Save the bees! But why? And is it just bees we should be saving? Part 2 of our pollinators page is out now - check it out, you’re sure to learn a thing or two about our beloved pals. #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #youth #pollinators #pollination #bees

Have you heard? Chefs@Home is a new, free, virtual cooking opportunity available for BIPOC youth in Toronto (and their families). A food box is delivered to the... door and a professional chef takes youth through a delicious recipe step by step. All that’s left to do is eat and enjoy. Grown ups can apply for a youth in their life at: https://bit.ly/377PmA2 This important program is made possible by a network of partners and friends, including UrbanArtsTO, supporters Whole Foods Market Canada and The Newlands Family Foundation, and the fine folks at Foodsters United who help deliver meal kits to participating young people across the city.

Check out our final pollinator profile for the year! We hope you've found this series educational and interesting, if you have any other insects or animals you'd like to learn more about comment down below! #WRSFG #pollinators #youth #education #onlineeducation #Waterloo #WRDSB #WRCDSB #onlinelearning #funfacts

We are grateful to have been able to help schools build new food gardens this season. Here's a summary of our build last week at St Gabriel CES in Cambridge #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #kwawesome #waterlooregion #outdoorlearning #gardenbasedlearning

Why wait until spring to grow a garden? We're holding our annual tower garden contest this fall. Any school in the region can enter to win their very own indoor mobile garden. Check out https://buff.ly/3juEDDG #WRSFG #Schoolgarden #indoorgarden #contest #WRDSB #WCDSB #KWawesome #waterlooregion #winter #innovation #onlinelearning #education #win #fallproject #schoolproject #genius

"If we give kids the opportunity to get outside to learn in nature, to engage with nature and others within an outdoor space, they're really going to learn to preserve nature and just kind of fall in love with it." #outdoorlearning is more important than ever. https://amp.cnn.com//outdoor-classrooms-nature/index.html

Having a reusable cutlery set for everyday lunches and snacks on the go is a great start to a zero waste kit! #WRSFG #Wasteless #Wednesday #zerowaste #plasticfree

Did you know terrariums have their own mini climate? Check out our online activity to learn more about climate change and use your green thumbs! Please like and share with any educators, youth or parents who are interested to learn more about the environment and gardening! ... #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #climatechange #globalwarming #education #gardening #greenthumb #indoorgrowing #zerowaste #activities #onlinelearning #outdoorlearning

"They take better care of it if they do the work, is what I find. So a lot of these kids haven't had a chance to do things like this before. They've never held some of these tools - they've never built anything."

Even with our amazing network of teachers, students, and community volunteers helping to minimize the costs of building a garden, materials for an accessible raised garden can cost up to $1500 for a single bed (and this is not including soil and seeds). Donate now - seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens #schoolfoodgardens #outdoorclassrooms #outdoorlearning #gardenbasedlearning

Happy fall! Is there anything left in your garden to harvest this year? #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens

Did you know that climate change is one of our topics on our Youth Portal! Explore our changing planet and activities all in one place. #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #climatechange #education #onlinelearning #outdoorlearning

"The strawberries began to ripen, and students got excited about getting their families to come and work in the garden over the summer (maybe it was so they could EAT the strawberries). Talk and learning continued, with conversations about how families grew or prepared vegetables at home, and about familiar foods growing in the school garden, which some students found amazing." This is what Brita Sherren, educator and garden champion at Blair Rd. P.S., had to say about their new garden build in 2019. We want to help provide more of these opportunities. Donate now - www.seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens & share to spread the word. #schoolfoodgardens #schoolgardens #outdoorclassrooms #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #backtoschool #thefutureofeducation

Dr. Martha Fulford is a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Hamilton Health Services. She believes forest schools pose many benefits to children that go beyond parents current COVID-19 concerns. Do these benefits extend to other forms of #outdooreducation and #naturebasedlearning - we think so! But this doesn't mean it's easy or simple to do. What kinds of supports do educators and parents need to make this happen? #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #thefutureofeducation

We think garden-based learning can play a more important role than ever in supporting students learning and growth, but building gardens and other outdoor learning materials requires resources that a lot of schools dont have. Thats where we come in. Outdoor classrooms deserve a place in the future of education, and with your help we can help them grow. Donate now at www.seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens #schoolfoodgardens #schoolgardens #outdoorclassrooms #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #backtoschool #thefutureofeducation

Wondering what to do with your fresh produce this weekend? The star of the show today is watermelon featured in Watermelon & Feta Salad. Check it out below! Did you try this recipe? Share a photo with us! #WRSFGRecipes... #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #DIY #ontariogrown

Join us in exploring the natural world that exists across Waterloo Region and beyond! Send us photos, drawing, stories, poems or any other art inspired by your exploration. We will be posting about what you all discover and we might even highlight your creation. Send your art to [email protected] #WRSFG #kwawesome #ontarioeducation

We think garden-based learning can play a more important role than ever in supporting students' learning and growth, but building gardens and other outdoor learning materials requires resources that a lot of schools dont have. Thats where we come in. Outdoor classrooms deserve a place in the future of education, and with your help we can help them grow. Donate now at www.seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens #schoolfoodgardens #schoolgardens #outdoorclassrooms #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #backtoschool #thefutureofeducation

Reusable, airtight glass containers are a great and easy way to way to keep food fresh in the fridge for longer while also reducing plastic waste! If you can, opt for this instead of buying disposable sandwich bags, cling wrap, and single-serve packaged items. #WRSFG #zerowaste

Did you know that many young people across Canada believe they should be spending more time outdoors? School food gardens are an ideal space for students to learn outside. Donate now, and help us spread the word by sharing our posts. Thank you! www.seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens #schoolfoodgardens #schoolgardens #outdoorclassrooms #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #backtoschool #thefutureofeducation

"A non-profit organization, called Pari Saint-Michel, is working to make fresh food available at an affordable price, using an old school bus to deliver fruits and vegetables to the community." https://www.ctvnews.ca//montreal-non-profit-turns-school-b

Word on the schoolyard is the seedlings we planted on August 24th are really starting to grow! Any ideas what this one is? Hint: It's part of the genus Brassica. #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #outdooreducation #gardenbasedlearning #thefutureofeducation

Check out our Arts and Crafts Page on the Youth Portal for a fun new activity! DIY Upcycled Garden Signs! A simple and fun activity for children and youth of many ages. www.seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens/youth-portal/ #WRSFG #DIY #upcycle #kitchen #garden #art #crafts #youth #youtheducation #backtoschool

Garden-based learning knows no age limit, something weve witnessed to be true at Owl Child Care Centre - John Sweeney. We were able to double our number of garden beds to four, add picnic tables for the children to enjoy the garden oasis and a garden shed to house the materials needed to help our gardens flourish. These materials aided in supporting the children in learning about the importance of nature. Help us do more of this. Donate now - https://www.seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens #schoolfoodgardens #schoolgardens #outdoorclassrooms #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #backtoschool #thefutureofeducation

"Moving classes outside deserves serious consideration not only for better ventilation, but also to introduce more public education devoted to learning on, from and with the land." #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens

Wondering what to do with your fresh produce this weekend? This Sweet & Spicy Korean Eggplant features eggplant, carrot, and garlic. Check it out in the recipe highlights! Did you try this recipe? Share a photo with us! #WRSFGRecipes #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #ontariofresh #ontarioproduce #shoplocal #DIY

#DidYouKnow one of the topics explored in our Youth Portal is #pollinators? Today is the first of many Pollinator Profiles, where we will be highlighting a different pollinator every second Friday throughout the rest of 2020. We are starting it off with the classic honeybee. You can also find printable versions on our Youth Portal! Link to the portal is in our bio. #WRSFG #outdooreducation #honeybee #biodiversity

To date, we have built more than 8000 square feet of gardens, engaged more than 14000 students and 230 volunteers. We also helped grow and maintain school gardens during COVID-19 disruptions. But we know we can do more to support our schools, and we are asking for your help to do it. Donate now - outdoor classrooms deserve a place in the future of education. https://seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens #schoolfoodgardens #schoolgardens #outdoorclassrooms #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #backtoschool #thefutureofeducation

Glow up at J.W. Gerths school food garden. We didnt just leave it empty, either: they got an impressive array of veggies planted from seed and seedling (more on that next week). Hopefully theyre seeing some pop up right about now! #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #outdooreducation

If you boil your beets, you can save the water for drinking! Its full of nutrients, and can then be added to other food, drinks, or simply sipped on as is. And it's not just beets - other veggies like broccoli and carrots have water worth saving. #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #zerowaste #foodwaste

As we head into all the unknowns that await us this school year, we think that school food gardens can provide important safe spaces for outdoor learning. That is why we are launching our Back-To-School Fundraising Campaign today. Outdoor classrooms deserve a place in the future of education. You can donate now - https://www.seeds.ca/schoolfoodgardens Please share our campaign posts to help us spread the word. #schoolfoodgardens #schoolgardens #outdoorclassrooms #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #backtoschool #thefutureofeducation

We would like to give a huge shoutout to our dedicated summer staff for making this an unforgettable summer! Weekly garden maintenance: Youth Portal launch: YouTube revamping: Research support: ... We hope everyone - students, educators, parents, guardians, caregivers - have a successful transition back to school over the next week. #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #outdoorclassrooms

The biggest opportunity to fix the food system comes via education. When children grow food in school, they learn all of this and become actively empowered and engaged in their lives and the lives of living things around them. - Stephen Ritz, founder of the Green Bronx Machine

Wondering what to do with your fresh produce this weekend? The star of the show today is okra, featured in this Crispy Okra Stirfry. Check it out in the recipe highlights! Did you try this recipe? Share a photo with us! #WRSFGRecipes... #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #ontariofresh

Summer is ending, but we still have more to come! Check out this months newsletter to see our thriving school food gardens, plans for back to school, and late summer planting tips! https://buff.ly/3jsOFpl. #WRSFG

Join us in exploring the network of gardens that exist across Waterloo Region and beyond! Send us photos, drawing, stories, poems or any other art inspired by your exploration. We will be posting about what you all discover and we might even highlight your creation. Send your art to [email protected] #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens #seedsaving

Sixteen stock tanks left to grow wild for a year = a lot of weeds! What do you do with the weeds you pull from your yard or garden? ALSO, NEWS: Next week, we are launching a Back-to-School Fundraising Campaign. Stay tuned for its launch on September 8th.... #WRSFG #schoolfoodgardens

Did you know that carrot leaves are edible and incredibly nutritious? These leafy greens can be chopped into a salad for a spicy flavour, or added to smoothies! #WRSFG #Wasteless #Wednesday #zerowaste #foodwaste

Seed Saving 101: Leave seeds or fruit on the plant as long as possible. This will lead to the healthiest and longest-lasting seeds because they had the opportun...ity to store lots of food. With most plants, seeds are ready when pods or flowers have completely dried brown, and fruit are ready when fully ripe. Those not left as long are still viable, but may not last as long in storage or germinate at the same rates. https://buff.ly/32q9tXv

Wondering what to do with your fresh produce this weekend? Featuring eggplants pizza for todays Savoury Saturday Check it out in the recipe highlights! Did you try this recipe? Share a photo with us! #WRSFGRecipes #WRSFG #Schoolfoodgardens #DIY #Cooking #harvest #summer #veggies #healthy

Nutrition for Learning is looking for some extra help to prepare food bags for students this upcoming school year! See the details below.

When children grow food in school, they learn all of this and become actively empowered and engaged in their lives and the lives of living things around them. - Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine

Bored? Want something fun, engaging and educational? We present to you .. WRSFGs ONLINE YOUTH PORTAL is now active! Check out our link on linktree! #WRSFG #Education #online #youthengagement #Creative #summerproject #fun #passion

Summer is ending, but we still have more to come! Check out this month's newsletter to see our thriving school food gardens, plans for back to school, and late summer planting tips! https://buff.ly/3jsOFpl. #WRSFG

We are so excited for our online Youth Portal to go live on our website soon! Are you? #WRSFG #onlineeducation #youth #creative #technology #handson #learning #excited #comingsoon

Weve been on the grounds this summer visiting schools all across the region for maintenance to get the gardens ready for fall! @WT Townsend #WRSFG #backtoschool #Garden #Maintenance #teamwork

From the WRDSB: The upcoming school year will be different from what we are used to. To help ease the worry and anxiety for both students and their families, we have put together this guide below for families. These tips will provide an overview of what a typical day will look like for Secondary students this September.

#Makeithappen Monday: Many of our school food gardens were unable to plant produce this spring as a result of COVID-19. Lucky for us, many vegetables can be successfully planted from seed in late summer! Check out our youtube for the How2Plant Series. #WRSFG #Schoolfoodgardens #latesummer #seeds

Wondering what to do with your fresh produce this weekend? Featuring eggplants pizza for today's Savoury Saturday Check it out in the recipe highlights! Did you try this recipe? Share a photo with us! #WRSFGRecipes #WRSFG #Schoolfoodgardens #DIY #Cooking #harvest #summer #veggies #healthy

Join us in exploring the network of gardens that exist across waterloo region and beyond! Check out this calendar by the Farmer's Almanac on when to plant. https://buff.ly/2V7MYFk... Send us photos, drawing, stories, poems or any other art inspired by your exploration. We will be posting about what you all discover and we might even highlight your creation. Send your art to [email protected] #WRSFG #KWAWESOME #Schoolfoodgardens #Waterlooregion #education #community #outdoors #summer #exploration