A Place in the Sun

West Side Elementary School, Edgemont, AR

West Side Elementary School has a Junior Master Gardener Program in place that teaches lessons
on soil types, photosynthesis, seed germination, the benefits of plants and more. With their Good
Food Gardens, the students hope to receive valuable nutritional education and the skills to plant
family gardens.

"We are so excited to win. The garden prize will help the Cleburne County Master Gardeners
continue the Junior Master Gardener program at West Side Elementary School. This will
help us to expand our existing program to include nutrition, growing a vegetable garden,
and healthier food choices. The students are the true winners."
—Linda Lynch, Chairperson, The Master Gardener Project

Pioneers for Change

Joseph Arthur Middle School, O'Fallon, IL

A proactive school that has seen the effects of poor diet and unhealthy living, Joseph Arthur Middle
School hopes to educate their students, parents and community on the benefits of a healthy
lifestyle, nutrition, earth science and the result of hard work and determination. They plan to use
their Good Food Garden to inspire their youth to make healthy choices and achieve the goal of a
healthy community.

“Awesome! This opens up a lot of possibilities for us. I can’t wait to get started.”
—Steve Lanter, Science teacher, Joseph Arthur Middle School

“What a great opportunity! I am very excited for the students of our district.They deserve
this.” —Patrick Anderson, Principal, Joseph Arthur Middle School

Out of this World

ArtSpace Charter, Asheville, NC

ArtSpace Charter School does not receive funding for student nutrition; all of the students must
pack their own lunches, so their Good Food Garden will not only provide food to families in need,
but also expand the school’s cooking program, Eating Through the Rainbow! ArtSpace Charter also
hopes the garden will serve as a hub of activity and interaction for the school's families, promoting
service and good citizenship.

“A school garden will be an integral part of our outdoor classroom. Students will make
curricular connections, work with community volunteers and gain a deeper understanding
and appreciation for their daily meals. If we teach our students the life skills of growing food
and tending the earth, we can become a more sustainable community, one school at a time.”
—Stephanie Wallace, Staff Member and Gardening Committee Chairperson, ArtSpace

One Child at a Time

Care and Share, Colorado Springs, CO

Care and Share offers tutoring, internet use training, summer programs and a nutrition program
(provided through Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado) to the children involved. With
their Good Food Garden, the group will teach their kids responsibility and the value of teamwork
and nutrition.

"We are so proud of all the hard work that the kids and Noelle have put into getting this
garden! We live in a society where kids do not garden. Gardening teaches kids how to care
for something. Now people can raise their own food in the community. This is so much more
than a garden; it will teach the kids in our community about patience and how to care and
will teach them about the rewards that come from these traits. We want to thank Care and
Share, America's Second Harvest for collaborating with The Salvation Army of Colorado
Springs. AND THANK YOU READER'S DIGEST!"
—Donald Gilger, El Paso County Commander for The Salvation Army

Presidential Achievement

Roosevelt Senior High School, Washington, DC

Roosevelt Senior High School teaches students how food impacts their growth and development.
Their Good Food Garden will allow students to prepare meals to be used for school and community
events and for senior centers and soup kitchens. The school will also share the garden with
students from neighboring schools that may not have access to gardens.

“Urban gardening is a growing phenomenon and with this Reader’s Digest grant students in
the Roosevelt Senior High School community will now be able to participate in the planting
and growth of food and follow its path from the garden to the kitchen to the table. Thank you
Reader's Digest, Share Our Strength and Food Network for this wonderful opportunity
to grow a Good Food Garden!”
—Iris Wilson, Program Coordinator, District of Columbia Public Schools