Image, by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Akron Public Schools has partnered with Mustard Seed Market to provide 1,500 third graders (78 classrooms) with a sample box of fresh vegetables to enhance their classroom gardens. The effort helps students learn about the importance of healthy eating and how real food reaches their plates.

Despite the Veggie U organization closing this past year, Veggie U materials will still be used to introduce students to an indoor garden program and curriculum covering plant science and nutrition, according to Akron Public Schools. The Veggie U five-week science program kicks off with a vegetable-tasting activity designed to pique the students’ interest and excitement about growing their own veggies to eat at the end of the program.

For four years in row, Mustard Seed Market & Cafe has supplied each Akron third-grade classroom teacher with an assortment of vegetables for students to taste. This year, student will taste rainbow baby carrots, mini sweet peppers, fennel, cilantro, purple cauliflower, and jicama. All were pre-washed in reverse osmosis water and provided for students to taste as they begin the Veggie U program.

“At Mustard Seed Market & Café we believe that any opportunity to introduce children to a healthy lifestyle and teach them how real food reaches their plate is priceless,” said Gabe Nabors, second-generation owner of Mustard Seed Market & Café. “We value partnerships and opportunities to work with the youth in Northeast Ohio, and are appreciative to the VeggieU program for including us.”

For info about Mustard Seed, visit www.mustardseedmarket.com.