Children at head start program plant garden, learn about healthy food

Children at the Park Avenue Head Start in Columbia have started a garden that will help teach them about cultivating and caring for, as well as the importance of, healthy foods like vegetables.

The program already has two raised garden beds which children help tend to by planting, watering, and weeding. Missouri Care Inc. recently donated $500 to help pay for expanding the community garden.

Teachers then integrate the gardening activities into the classroom by teaching about how the plants grow and the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet. Studies have shown teaching children the importance of eating healthy foods leads to them eating more healthy foods, like vegetables. According to Central Missouri Community Action, around 13% of 2- to 4-year-olds from low-income families are considered obese, putting them at risk for conditions like diabetes and heart disease.