Learing about Earthboxes

Breakfast as usual. Carita & Emily worked at Kids Step preschool and Katie showed up in the afternoon to help after finishing with her RCP visits.  Tracey had a good day with 4 family visits with Daniella to Roving Caregiver mothers and children.

Dawn, Warren, & Margaret visited FlavianIsimbert, the Primary School Principal to discuss an Earthbox- based school feeding program.  Dawn explained how the Earthboxes work and provided a copy of the Earthbox school curriculum, which incorporates science, math, nutrition, and language arts lessons into the gardening program.  We learned that half of the 150 students purchase school lunch.  He told us that it would save the school a great deal of money if they were able to grow vegetables to add to the lunches as they currently do not receive enough government assistance to add sufficient vegetables everyday to the students’ meals.  Additionally, he informed us that they don’t have enough plates, cups, or utensils and students have to bring them from home.  Sadly, not all students have them at home or sometimes forget and so they cannot participate in the lunch program.  We also discussed the development of the school literacy program.

Following our evening meeting, the group enjoyed a good dinner at Ben’s Hideaway, which included freshly grilled tuna steaks.