Cooking What We Grow: Why Gardening Is the Most Meaningful Work for Children
his summer, my middle-schooler enrolled in a Gardening & Growing Green Camp hosted by her school’s garden and kitchen classroom. For our family, this wasn’t just another summer activity—it was a continuation of a tradition that has been shaping young minds in our district for nearly 25 years.
The school gardens program, inspired by world-renowned chef and food activist Alice Waters and her Edible Education campaign in California, has become a cornerstone of both science education and social-emotional learning in our community.
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A Classroom Without Walls
From the very first day of Kindergarten, my kids have loved learning in the garden. There’s something magical about planting a seed, watching it sprout, and then eventually tasting the food you’ve grown yourself. For children, this hands-on learning experience is more than science—it’s a lesson in patience, responsibility, and connection to nature.
Of course, living in New England means that our gardens only support hardy herbs, vegetables, and flowers that can withstand the shorter growing season. But that limitation has never stopped the children’s enthusiasm. Instead, it has encouraged them to be creative, resourceful, and mindful of how much care even a small patch of soil requires.
Growing, Harvesting, and Cooking
At camp, my daughter and her peers took responsibility for two school gardens. Every day, they worked under the summer sun—watering, weeding, and nurturing the plants. But the real joy came in the kitchen classroom, where they prepared meals using the very produce they had harvested.
It wasn’t just about following recipes; it was about understanding where food comes from and realizing the effort behind every fresh tomato, cucumber, or herb that made it to their plate. My daughter put on her outdoor work clothes, slathered on sunscreen, and approached the camp with excitement—even brainstorming ideas for her final project showcase while we were away visiting friends in Alberta, Canada.
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Why It Matters
In a world where convenience foods and fast living often take priority, teaching children to grow and cook what they eat is one of the most valuable lessons we can give them. It’s not only about healthier eating habits—it’s about respect for the environment, appreciation of effort, and a sense of pride in meaningful work.
For my child, this camp was more than just gardening. It was a reminder that cooking what we grow is not only nourishing to the body but also deeply enriching for the soul.
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