WL Henry Elementary receives school garden grant from Whole Kids Foundation

WL Henry Elementary in Hillsboro will receive a $2,000 school garden grant through Whole Kids Foundation, a Whole Foods Market foundation, providing an edible educational garden available to the school’s students and staff.

Gardens are becoming an increasingly used educational tool as school gardens are shown to improve children’s behavior and performance at school and improve their attitudes about and appreciate for the environment. Additionally, only two percent of children eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables, but children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and to be more knowledgeable about nutrition.

“We are passionate about providing students with the opportunity to engage in learning outside of classrooms, and educational gardens and bee hives do just that,” said Nona Evans, executive director and president of Whole Kids Foundation. “The joy and gratitude that comes from funding these programs for students never dulls.”

A Whole Foods Market foundation, Whole Kids Foundation is a nonprofit supporting schools and inspiring families to improve children’s health and wellness. Since 2011, the foundation has implemented 4,226 gardens in schools, impacting children in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. There are 10 Whole Foods Market stores in Oregon, including Portland and Hillsboro.