Nine garden rebuilds benefit nearly 4,000 students; Highmark grant funds new gardens, shed

Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids was the recipient of a $49,117 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware in April 2021. The grant supports rebuilding nine gardens that benefit nearly 4,000 students. The rebuilt gardens will yield an estimated 912 pounds of fresh produce per gardening season.

HFHK staff and volunteers started last year with the rebuilds, which included Marshall, Carrie Downie, Brader, Eisenberg, Wilson and McVey Elementary Schools.

In June 2022, Dr. Manzara, Lydia Sarson, and Jen Cipolla rebuilt the handicap-accessible beds at both Springer Middle School and Brader Elementary School and built a new shed at McVey Elementary. A volunteer, Mea, also assisted at Springer and HFHK's Public Ally, Joe Jankowski helped at McVey. Volunteers from FMC and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha worked together to rebuild the gardens at George Read Middle School. This build even received attention from 6abc!

In July, 'Adopt A Garden' sponsor Adesis will work with HFHK and school volunteers to rebuild the garden at Pleasantville Elementary School. Thank you to Highmark for this grant, which also funded Public Ally Joe Jankowski at HFHK.