North Attleboro students show off their green thumbs

October 11, 2018 12:26 pm

Twitter: MRandallABC6

North Attleboro, Mass. (WLNE)— They say you are what you eat, well in North Attleboro the students are growing what they eat. Several weeks ago seventh graders planted lettuce seedlings and then patiently waited for the vegetables to grow. On Wednesday it was finally harvest day.

Instead of heading out to garden the boys and girls went straight to the cafeteria. That’s where the lettuce leaves had sprouted in special indoor towers.

“It’s definitely an easy way to get the kids involved,” said Heather Baril, the nutrition director for the public school district.

Baril says it’s important for the boys and girls to learn where their food comes from.

“We’re really tying to bridge that gap between the classroom and the cafeteria and really invite the kids in and get them to be part of the process,” she explained.

The kids from the elementary schools, including Community and Roosevelt Ave School are also taking part in the fun. Many of them planned to buy the school lunch on the day of the harvest and were anxious to give the Caesar salads they helped make a try.

“It’s probably going to taste better because we picked it,” said Mary Farley, a 7^th grade student.

It’s only a few weeks in and already the program is helping students make better choices when eating.

“I’m starting to think its better to get fresh food,” said Nicholas Lanci, a 7^th grade student.

By the end of the year the district will have 4 more planters. That would mean there would be one in every school.

“Hopefully we can get 2 or 3 more tower gardens where one can have tomatoes on it, one can have cucumbers. So this is just the start of something bigger,” said Baril.

The tower gardens were all paid for thanks to grants, meaning the food services budget didn’t have to be touched to bring this unique program to the district.