PROVISO EAST
COMMUNITY
GIVING GARDEN
Thank you to the ReUse Depot near PEHS for letting us grow!
Proviso East High School has successfully planted, grown, and harvest various vegetables over the 2017 growing season! The students as well as the residents of this community will be able to participate in growing the food that they eat! This is an exciting opportunity to bring fresh vegetables and food to the Maywood Proviso community. Check out the article in the Maywood Village Free Press about the Community Garden and Farm to Table |
Giving Garden At Proviso East High School And The Broadview Garden Partner With The PEHS Wellness Committee and Proviso Partners for Health
From July through September 2016, thirteen Proviso student interns worked at and helped manage the Proviso East Giving Garden and the Broadview garden. The students planned, planted, weeded, harvested, and created artwork for the gardens. Using vegetables and herbs harvested from the garden, students also participated in cooking demonstrations organized by local chefs and other volunteers. Produce grown included: Tomatoes and Cherry Tomatoes, Jalapeno, Banana and Bell Peppers, Green beans, Onions, Okra, Potatoes, Red and White Radishes, Mesculin, Kale, Carrots, Cucumbers, Collard Greens, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Lemon Grass, Rosemary, Peppermint This October, spinach and salad greens have been planted with an expected winter harvest in early December. Then it is time to start planning the 2017 gardening season!! Most of the produce harvested at the gardens (over 100 pounds!) was donated to Maywood community organizations such as the Quinn Community Center Food Pantry, Mujeres Unidas, Loyola Pediatric Weight Management Clinic, and the Maywood Family Medicine Clinic. Also, when community members would pass by and express interest in the project, they received free produce that was picked for them as they watched! Both the Giving Garden and the PEHS Wellness Committee are partners of Proviso Partners for Health, a community coalition. The Wellness Committee connects the PEHS community to the Giving Garden. So far this has mostly been by getting students involved in the garden with leadership from Ms. Marcia LaPorte. But in the future, PEHS students will learn about running a business as the Giving Garden will start selling its produce to the PEHS community. In addition, the PEHS cafeteria may also purchase produce from this community resource. By participating in and learning about urban agriculture and food access, the students had an opportunity to work in an environment they may not have previously experienced. More importantly, students have gained skills they can use in any work or life situation - leadership skills, teamwork, patience, and an understanding of community dynamics, service, confidence, and pride. Mary D’Anza, Dietician, Loyola University Chicago Department of Family Medicine |
Location
50 W. Madison
Maywood, IL 60153
50 W. Madison
Maywood, IL 60153