School Garden Program Expands to Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School

The School District of Lee County’s Healthy Living Collaboration Farm to School garden program is expanding to 14 schools with the grand opening of the Eagle Harvest Teaching Center at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School.

Students and school staff, in partnership with the School District’s Healthy Living Collaboration, built the garden. It will be used as a teaching tool and to provide fresh produce to the Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School cafeteria for use in student meals.

“The School District of Lee County’s Healthy Living Collaboration is dedicated to improving overall health and increasing food security for School District of Lee County students and families,” said Leisha Roy, Chair of the Healthy Living Collaboration. “We promote healthy minds and bodies by linking multisensory, cross-curricular academics with school gardens, cafeteria menus, nutrition classes, mental health education, industry certification, college and career readiness, and community outreach. This garden is a testament to our commitment to fostering growth, learning, and environmental stewardship in our students and community.”

Three more schools added Farm to School gardens this year: Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts, Caloosa Middle School, and Tortuga Preserve Elementary. All four new Farm to School gardens were built with funding provided by the Florida Department of Health, Lee County and will use the produce harvested in their cafeterias.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Farm to School gardens harvested more than 11,000 pounds of produce and saved school cafeterias more than $30,000. The goal this year is for the 14 Farm to School gardens to harvest 13,500 pounds of produce.