2009 Healthy Sprouts Award Winners

GARDENER'S SUPPLY COMPANY AND THE NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE THE 2009 HEALTHY SPROUTS AWARD WINNERS

Youth Gardeners are Recognized for Nutrition and Hunger Education Efforts

Contacts:
National Gardening Association:

Amanda Wiggins

(800) 538-7476 ext. 115

amandaw@garden.org


Gardener's Supply Company:

Sue Chayer

(802) 660-3500

suec@gardeners.com

South Burlington, Vermont (December 18, 2009) – The National Gardening Association (NGA) and Gardener's Supply Company are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Healthy Sprouts Awards. These in-kind awards support schools and community organizations that use gardens to teach about nutrition and explore the issue of hunger in the United States.

"There is a real disconnect among children about where their food comes from. Urbanization has separated young people from the growing process. This year, 700+ applicants told us that now, more than ever, the Healthy Sprouts Awards are critical to helping bridge the gap between growing healthy food and eating healthy food," says Mike Metallo, president of NGA. "Sponsors like Gardener's Supply Company are helping NGA grow youth gardening programs because they know that these programs help kids to:

  • fight childhood obesity;
  • develop better eating habits;
  • become more aware of hunger and nutrition in America;
  • develop an appreciation for fresh fruits and vegetables.

The CDC concurs, and, says Metallo, "academic studies show that school garden programs have a particularly positive impact on the attitudes of youth toward understanding food sources and good nutrition."

The 20 winning programs in 2009 received gift cards from Gardener's Supply Company to purchase supplies to support their food gardening projects. The top 5 received cards valued at $500; 15 more received $200 gift cards. Award packages also included educational materials and seeds from NGA.

THIS YEAR'S HEALTHY SPROUTS AWARD RECIPIENTS:

  • Rigewood Bushwick Youth Center, Brooklyn, NY - $500 Winner
  • TAGOS Leadership Academy, Janesville, WI - $500 Winner
  • Northside Christian Preschool, St. Petersburg, FL - $500 Winner
  • Hope House of Milwaukee, Inc., Milwaukee, WI - $500 Winner
  • Emory and Henry College's Appalachian Center for Community Service , Emory, VA - $500 Winner
  • The Noisette Foundation's Community Wellness Initiative, North Charleston, SC -$200 Winner
  • The PERICO Institute, Jackson, MS - $200 Winner
  • Hayt Elementary School, Chicago, IL - $200 Winner
  • Nezperce Elementary School, Nezperce, ID - $200 Winner
  • Fleetwood Jourdain Community, Evanstown, IL - $200 Winner
  • Albuquerque Preschool Cooperative, Albuquerque, NM - $200 Winner
  • Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, Aberdeen, SD - $200 Winner
  • Eretus Rivers Elementary School, Atlanta, GA - $200 Winner
  • Sandra J. Orden Family Center, Vancouver, WA - $200
    • Winner
  • The Porch 7th Ward Cultural Organization, New Orleans, LA - $200 Winner
  • Camp Fire USA Wilani Council, Eugene, OR - $200 Winner
  • Circle of Nations Wahpeton Indian School, Wahpeton, ND - $200 Winner
  • Billy Mitchell Elementary School, Lawndale, CA - $200 Winner
  • Ferrisburgh Central School, Ferrisburgh, VT - $200
    • Winner
  • 1st Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey, Belleville, NJ -$200 Winner

To learn about and apply for a 2010 Healthy Sprouts Award, please visit www.kidsgardening.org/healthysprouts.asp..

About Gardener's Supply Company

Gardener's Supply Company was founded in 1983 by a handful of enthusiastic Vermont gardeners. Today, they serve millions of gardeners nationwide, offering products from seed-starting supplies to garden furniture. To learn more about how Gardener's Supply Company is improving the world through gardening, visit www.gardeners.com.

About the National Gardening Association

Headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont, the nonprofit National Gardening Association (NGA) promotes gardening as a means to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants, and the environment. For 36 years, NGA has been a leader in plant-based education. Our programs are valued and praised by educators and community organizers across America. NGA offers the Web's largest and most respected library of online gardening resources. Though our strength is in youth gardening, our resources support gardeners of every age and ability. NGA acts as an interactive hub and provides a critical service to educators, supplying them with curriculum, publications, grants, awards, and professional development tools. To learn more about gardening with children, please visit www.kidsgardening.org.