MEDIA ADVISORY -- Garden to Cafeteria Program Kicks-off at Birney Elementary

School's health and wellness program expands to include fresh vegetables from the school's student-run garden.

What:     Students will be harvesting cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs from the school’s garden, then preparing the fresh vegetables to be added to the salad bar and served at lunch.

When:    Harvesting begins at 10:30 a.m.
              Lunch is from 11:45 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
              Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Where:   Alice Birney Elementary School, 4345 Campus Ave. (92103)

Details:   Birney Academy of International Studies in University Heights has a long history of making wellness a centerpiece at the site. For nearly ten years, parent and community volunteers have worked with staff and students to maintain a school garden, which has turned into an outdoor classroom. The garden not only produces vegetables tended by the student Garden Club but is also home to a butterfly garden with mulberry trees to feed silk worms. Students learn first-hand about lifecycles and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

With assistance from the district’s Farm to School program, Birney is launching a Garden to Cafeteria program in the 2011-12 school year. The program will enhance the school’s commitment to health and wellness, which also includes an emphasis on the importance of physical activity.

Photo opportunities:
• Students harvesting vegetables from garden.
• Students prepping and chopping vegetables in class or kitchen
• 400 students eating the fresh-from-the-garden foods at lunch

CONTACTS:
For information about the Birney wellness and garden program, contact Mindy Swanson, parent volunteer, at mindysue@igc.org or through the school at 619-497-3500.

For information about the district Farm to School program, contact Vanessa Zajfen, Farm to School Specialist, at vzajfen@sandi.net or 858-627-7310.

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