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Note: Some references in this curriculum are out of date.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 resources have shifted to www.MyPlate.gov 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

Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education
Information about improving nutrition and establishing healthy eating habits in school, child care, adult and after school settings.

Trending in Nutrition

Recently Posted in Nutrition

2025–26 FFVP Request for Applications Available (added 14-Feb-2025)
The CDE NSD announces a grant opportunity for elementary schools to participate in the FFVP. The FFVP grant period is July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. All eligible agencies, both current FFVP grantees and new applicants, must respond online to this RFA.
Tri-Union Seafoods Issues Tuna Recall (added 13-Feb-2025)
Tri-Union Seafoods Issues recall of select tuna cans due to clostridium botulinum risk.
2025 SFSP Reimbursement Rates (added 11-Feb-2025)
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) 2025 reimbursement rates are now available.
2025–26 CNP Reimbursement Rates (added 10-Feb-2025)
Child Nutrition Program (CNP) meal reimbursement rates.
Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Q&A #3 (added 10-Feb-2025)
The USDA issued a policy memorandum Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers #3, which provides further clarification on rural non-congregate requirements.

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.
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.