Public Health Services is partnering with local schools to establish or resurrect fruit and vegetable gardens.
Students at Sunnyslope, Calaveras, Hollister Dual Language Academy and R.O.Hardin elementary schools will plant, cultivate and eat their fresh fruits and vegetables, all while learning about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity, according to public health in an announcement.
According to the California Health Interview Survey for San Benito County, 38.2% of children ages 2 to 4 are overweight or obese and 19.1% are obese. Of children ages 5 to 19 years old, 49.4% are overweight or obese and 32.3% are obese. Only 52% of San Benito County children ages 2 to 11 years old report eating two to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Supplies for the gardens are provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed/CalFresh). For more information on the SNAP-Ed program, please contact Erika Vallin at (831) 637-5367.
