"You can't learn if you are Hungry." That is what the SNAP Education Assistant in Anderson County KY hears the Director of Anderson Community Education (ACE) say all the time to the Students With A Goal (SWAG) group.

The SWAG kids are often hungry when they come to their classes at the ACE Building. While snacks are always available to the students, they may not always be of the healthy variety. To combat the problem, the SNAP assistant joined forces with the ACE Director and several other community partners to create an "Outdoor Education Lab" (AKA an onsite Community Garden) and we were Growing For Good!

Initially, the math tutor worked with the students to figure out how much dirt was needed to fill the two raised beds. Next, was planting the vegetables and herbs. Staff and students shared the work of weeding and watering.

As the vegetables were harvested, they were eaten or taken home to share with the participant's families. The grand finale of this project was learning to make fresh salsa with the tomatoes and bell peppers from the garden along with the fresh cilantro from the herb garden. The students also learned to freeze the left over bell peppers to use later. 

Learning that fresh, healthy food is there for the picking is a good lesson to learn and share. The Learning Lab was the first exposure many of the youth have had to growing and using their own food. This is an experience that can go with them into adulthood. The kids were proud of themselves for producing their own food and eager to learn how to prepare other dishes using what can be grown in a garden.