From the Ground Up (FGU)is a program of the Capital Area Food Bank which combines urban gardening, cooking and nutrition education. FGU in the Community is a community-based youth garden and education program at Children of Mine Center (CMC) in Anacostia. FGU provides the structure and content that engages youth through hands-on activities and is often the first entrée youth have with fresh produce on a consistent basis.
FGU seeks to increase the consumption of fresh, seasonal produce through a hands-on experience in the garden, “kitchen garden”, and outdoor classroom. This is accomplished through the following:
- providing access and exposure to fresh produce
- fostering basic gardening skills
- keeping nutrition education based on food
- engaging youth in the basic “how-tos” of cooking with fresh produce
- ensuring a safe garden space that instills a sense of pride in the children of CMC and creates a place of beauty in the community
The garden is used to grow fresh produce, herbs and flowers in raised beds and as an outdoor education classroom and kitchen. Weekly classes are taught for two six week sessions, from May through July. Each week includes three days of classes centered on the “Veggie of the Week” and incorporates a “Taster’s Club,” a garden day, and a cooking/food preparation class.
The Taster’s Club is modeled after American Idol; the veggie of the week is introduced through a variety of tastings and then voted upon by participants. This class employs all senses to show that produce comes in many varieties, the different ways produce can be prepared, and how to constructively and politely describe taste preferences.
The garden day focuses on the basics of growing through youth participation in planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting. This class includes garden art projects which enable youth to beautify the garden space and make it their own. The garden class also teaches that the work and care that goes into a garden has a slow, but rewarding effect.
The cooking class is a team effort where the youth play a large role in preparing a variety of dishes using fresh produce. In the process, participants learn the basics of food preparation, knife skills and working together. This class teaches healthy snack preparation skills and encourages social development through interactions with peers.
For questions about this program please email fgu@capitalareafoodbank.org.