Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Growing Healthy Kids

Garden-based lessons that focus on nutrition education and its connection to plants and uses gardening as a vehicle to expose children to a variety of vegetables and fruits and to encourage increased consumption of vegetables and fruits.

Description

This garden-based and nutrition education curriculum provides engaging activities for students. Lessons focus on nutrition education and its connection to plants by using gardening as a vehicle to expose children to a variety of vegetables and fruits, and encourage increased consumption of vegetables and fruits. The lessons are designed to be used in an indoor, outdoor, or wall mural garden where students learn to grow, prepare, and enjoy fruits and vegetables; create a garden; conduct cooking activities; and increase physical activity. What’s inside: The materials include an overview of the curriculum, evaluation materials, and seven lessons. Each lesson has objectives, overview, lists of materials needed, teaching outline and script, student worksheets, recipes, supplemental activities, recipe sheets, and family letters. Activity highlight: In lesson 2, “Root, Root Hooray!” students participate in five activities. They report on the results of their Food Adventurer mission, review the six plant parts, examine the parts of a carrot, taste a healthy carrot and jicama salsa recipe, and work on their mural or indoor or outdoor garden.

  • Key Content Areas: Cafeteria Connections, Food Literacy and Cooking Activities, Garden-based, Healthy School Environment, Integrated Subjects, MyPlate, Parent/Family Involvement, and Physical Activity

  • Originator of Resources: Oregon Nutrition Education Program, Extension Family and Community Health, College of Public Health and Human Sciences

  • User of Resource: Teachers

  • Audience: Grades 2–3

  • Languages: English

  • Number of lessons: 7 lessons

  • Amount of time per lesson: 50 minutes per lesson

  • Format: Downloadable

Resource

To access the curriculum, visit the Oregon State University Growing Healthy Kids web pageExternal link opens in new window or tab..

Contact

If you have any questions, visit the Oregon State University (OSU) OSU Extension in Your Community Contacts web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Related Content
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Child Nutrition Advisory Council - May 2026 (added 01-May-2026)
    Meeting agenda for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC)
  • Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions (added 30-Apr-2026)
    This management bulletin provides regulatory updates regarding the allowability of accepting medical statements from registered dietitians (RD) as related to Fluid Milk Substitutions in School Nutrition Programs.
  • Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities (added 30-Apr-2026)
    This management bulletin contains information on the requirements related to accommodating children with disabilities.
  • Income Eligibility Scales for School Year 2026–27 (added 24-Apr-2026)
    Information related to Income Eligibility Guidelines for Free and Reduced-price Meals or Free Milk in Child Nutrition Programs.
  • School Lunch Hero Day 2026 (added 24-Apr-2026)
    School Lunch Hero Day presents an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and thank hardworking professionals who continue to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of students.