U-46 students to grow their own produce

Miguel Medel is hoping his passion for organic foods will really grow on students at Abbott Middle School in Elgin.

In cooperation with the national Farm to School initiative and with grant money from Kane County's Fit for Kids initiative, Abbott's kitchen manager is coordinating a project that has students creating their own gardens in a small plot behind the school. Starting in the spring, students will have the opportunity to grown their own produce and even incorporate the harvest into school lunches. The fruits of their labor also will be used in cooking demonstrations Medel plans for students and parents.

It's a passion Medel has for food and also a directive the school district wants to put in place to educate students about healthy eating choices.

“How cool is it to teach them where their stuff is coming from. It's not just coming from the store or coming from Jewel, we're growing it,” Medel said. “Pretty neat.”

Students spent a few hours after school both Wednesday and Thursday drilling and fastening the wooden boxes that will be filled with dirt next week. In the spring they will help plant and cultivate foods they can harvest in the fall for integration into their school menu.

Eighth-grader Adrian Delgado, one of roughly 20 students who volunteered for the project, said he doesn't get to do much gardening at his home in Elgin, but growing vegetables reminds him of when he was younger.

“It reminds me of my grandma back in Mexico because she gardens a lot,” Adrian said. “She taught me how to garden. I like it when I help people to garden and be healthier; it makes me feel better.”

Thanks to the $10,000 from the Fit for Kids Initiative, Elgin's Parks and Recreation Department has planted 16 gardens in various locations throughout the city, including Channing and Garfield elementary schools. The project at Abbott is the first for a middle school in Elgin.

Several Elgin firefighters are donating their time, talents and tools to the project as well, showing students how to construct the raised planter boxes. But it is the school's kitchen manager and his enthusiasm that has them all working together.

Medel is hoping that what is about to sprout behind Abbott Middle School will grow into gardens at each of the district's 56 schools, and the chance to educate students on the importance of eating healthy and being aware of different food choices. The district also has created youth advisory councils to engage students in selecting the food options for their school meals. Claudie Phillips, director of food and nutrition services for the district, said that when students see they have many choices, it opens up their eyes.

“We find that students will eat healthier if they have some voice in it,” Phillips said.