New raised beds bring fresh food opportunities to students and families
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Saturday afternoon, Calvin Donaldson Elementary welcomed dozens of community members and local organizations to campus to help with one of the school’s Restore the Roar outdoor projects.
Organizers say the effort is designed not only to benefit students but also the surrounding community.
Behavior Intervention Teacher Annie Paden says volunteers gathered to improve the school grounds while also creating new opportunities for students and neighbors.
“The community is coming together to support a project at Calvin Donaldson Elementary that not only benefits the students but also their surrounding community. We have about 40 to 50 community members out here helping Calvin Donaldson beautify our school as well as prune and mulch our fruit trees and then put a community garden in as well.”
In partnership with several local organizations, including the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, local families will also be able to receive a portion of the crops harvested from the raised garden beds.
Laura Robinson, Youth Market and Garden Program Manager at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, explains that the project focuses on giving the community access to fresh food while allowing the school to decide how the harvest will be shared.
“The Chattanooga Area Food Bank, in collaboration with Floating Tree, is really here to facilitate the building of new raised beds so that the school and community members have access to grow fresh local food. From there it is up to the school and the community members how that food is distributed.”
Damon Bartos, Urban Farm Manager at the Bethlehem Center, tells News 12 that projects like this can help address food insecurity by teaching children where food comes from.
“I think it starts with the kids. If we can teach our kids how to grow their own food and show them where food comes from, we can begin fighting food insecurity from the ground level.”
Staff members say their long-term vision includes involving both students and community members in maintaining the gardens.
Second grade teacher Katie Gruendler adds that the goal is to make the space something the entire Alton Park community can benefit from.
“We would like to work to get some paid positions for community members to come in and maintain the garden. We would like to get students out here as well. The goal is that it becomes integrated with the Alton Park community and helps create more healthy opportunities for everyone.”
Members of the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County also volunteered during the project.
Carlton Mathes says community efforts like this can leave a lasting impact on students.
“We do this so that the kids can learn how to grow their own vegetables. It sparks an interest in them to eat better and do better when they grow their own food.”
School leaders hope the gardens will continue to grow in the coming months, creating a shared space where students and community members can learn, work, and harvest together.
