Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Nutrition to Grow On

An innovative curriculum for grades four through six that offers teachers a direct link between the garden and nutrition education.

Description

Nine lessons are designed to teach children and their families about nutrition by relating each lesson to a garden activity. The curriculum uses the garden to integrate disciplines, including science, mathematics, language arts, history, environmental studies, nutrition, and health, while reinforcing some of the California academic content standards. School gardens are wonderful sources of food and beauty and outlets for physical activity; they can also help students discover fresh food and learn to make healthier food choices. Nutrition to Grow On taps into these instructional gardens to cultivate the students’ talents and skills while enriching their capacities for observation and thinking.

  • Author: California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division
  • User of Resources: Teachers
  • Audience: Grades 4–6
  • Languages Offered: English
  • Date updated: 2013

Note:  Some references in this curriculum are out of date. The www.ChooseMyPlate.gov External link opens in new window or tab. resources have shifted to www.MyPlate.gov External link opens in new window or tab. and the Nutrition Facts labels have been revised. However, the CDE continues to recognize the value of garden-based education and acknowledges the local expertise available to direct relevant updates.

Resource

Nutrition to Grow On (PDF; 27MB)

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the Farm to School Team by email at Farm2School@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Education and Nutrition Policy Unit | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Thursday, June 20, 2024
Related Content
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School (added 31-Jan-2025)
    The memorandum clarifies policy related to fees associated with electronic (online) payments and ensures students determined eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits receive the benefits.
  • Webinars: Scratch Cooking & Reducing Sodium (added 30-Jan-2025)
    The CICN hosts a live webinar addressing How to Transition to Scratch Cooking in Schools - First Steps. The USDA Meal Talk Webinar to share strategies to reduce sodium and engage students in menu planning.
  • SY 2025–26 USDA Foods Available List and Pricing (added 29-Jan-2025)
    This report provides an estimated price per pound, per case, and per truck for all USDA Foods items available in school year (SY) 2025-26.
  • Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan (added 14-Jan-2025)
    The Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan allows approved school food authorities to offer non-congregate meals to students fasting during Ramadan.
  • NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant: Allowable Costs (added 10-Jan-2025)
    The USDA issued Policy Memo SP 06-2025: National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grants (EAG): Installation Expenditures which provides guidance on costs related to installing and using new equipment purchased with EAG funds.

  • Buy American Provision (added 10-Jan-2025)
    The Buy American provision is a procurement standard that SFAs must comply with when purchasing food products served in School Nutrition Programs (SNP). SFAs are required to purchase domestic commodities or products to the maximum extent practicable.
  • Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency (added 08-Jan-2025)
    Governor Newsom proclaims state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the Palisades Fire.
  • FFAVORS new requirement (added 08-Jan-2025)
    Effective January 5, 2025, (FFAVORS) user are now required to receipt within 2 business days of receipt of product or required delivery date (RDD).
  • CNIPS Update (added 06-Jan-2025)
    Transition of Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) server hosting and maintenance from California Department of Technology to California Department of Education (CDE).
  • October 22, 2024 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 03-Jan-2025)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar October 22, 2024.