The Wisconsin Medical Society is hoping school farms can help deal with a health crisis. The School Garden Initiative will have kids grow their own food encouraging more fruits and vegetables are eaten daily.
“In particular this connection to childhood obesity epidemic is important to us,” says Sheba McCants with the Society’s Down to Earth Foundation.
The group has drawn inspiration from Milwaukee farmer Will Allen. His community center is located in an area of the city where the closest place to buy healthy food is five miles away.
McCants believes the Initiative can help in similar “food desserts.”
Their first such garden was at Marquette Elementary School in Milwaukee and the group is trying to expand the program statewide.