Sprouting Healthy Habits: Garden-to-Plate Program Nurtures Young Chefs

Summertime is here, and Hunger Task Force is celebrating the incredible success of our revamped Garden-to-Plate program this school year! The program has blossomed, reaching 356 students across 14 classrooms in six schools within the West Allis-West Milwaukee (WAWM) and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) districts.

With a focus on MyPlate lessons and interactive learning, the Garden-to-Plate program provides low-income students with comprehensive experiences that equip them with the knowledge to make informed food choices and boost their confidence in preparing delicious and healthy meals at home with their families.

Throughout the school year, students embarked on an exciting learning journey that began right in their classrooms with visits from the Hunger Task Force Child Nutrition Educator. They learned about healthy eating and nutrients using MyPlate as a guide. Next, they got to practice what they learned in the McCarty Education Kitchen, where they cooked up tasty, nutritious meals. The adventure culminated in a trip to the School Garden at the Hunger Task Force Farm, where they got their hands dirty planting and harvesting vegetables. This hands-on experience helped them appreciate fresh food and understand the importance of healthy eating.

The Garden-to-Plate program empowers local kids by teaching them where our food comes from, how to make healthy choices, and most importantly, that cooking nutritious meals can be fun and empowering. Looking ahead, plans are underway to expand the program by adding six more classrooms and one new school this fall!