BOISE, Idaho — Getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables can be tough, but when you let them pick them straight from the ground or the branch, it’s a little easier.
Global Gardens is a non-profit farm that grows fresh produce for the community by refugee farmers. The produce supplier partners with Nutrition Works and a handful of daycares in Treasure Valley to give kids fresh fruits and vegetables and teach kids about healthy foods.
“I just think it really helps them understand that their food is alive,” said Ben Brock, director of Global Gardens Farm. “It helps them realize that their community is alive in ways they may not necessarily be aware of.”
The partnership is part of Global Garden’s CSA program, which is the largest community-supported agriculture program in the Treasure Valley, according to the Idaho Office for Refugees.
Nicole Camarda
On Wednesday, the children of Magic Stars Spanish Preschool took a trip to the garden, where they picked carrots, discovered onions and ate blackberries directly from the branches.
“The best part of our whole program is getting these vegetables out and showing these kids what they look like in their original form,” said Nutrition Works program monitor Kelli Jeffress.
Global Garden partners with Nutrition Works, which delivers the products to daycares weekly, along with coloring books and recipes.
“Every week the kids get a box full of fresh vegetables and they learn that vegetables come from local farms and growers and that also helps create a secondary market for some farmers,” Brock said.
Nicole Camarda
The partnership allows young children to see where exactly their produce comes from and provides fresh produce to daycare centers from Caldwell to Mountain Home.
“I think it’s a wonderful partnership that we’re getting to support Global Gardens as a whole and that we can connect their suppliers who are feeding these kids these amazing nutritious meals,” Brock said.
The community can sign up to become a CSA member, which provides access to a weekly box of products from spring through fall. Child care centers outside of the program receive a 25% discount through a Nutrition Works grant according to the Idaho Office for Refugees.
