Teaching Kids to Grow What They Eat

IRMO, S.C. (WOLO) — Because studies continue to show South Carolina leading the country in obesity, a gardening program gets down and dirty to teach children a new way of eating, by growing their own food. One-third of the state’s young people 10-17 are overweight or obese, according to Eat Smart, Move More South Carolina. A Midlands foundation is targeting that age group to change the way they think about healthy foods. The Auntie Karen Foundation has created a program called, Gordon’s Garden. ‘Gordon’ is a make-believe character who was diagnosed with obesity at a young age. He travels the state showing kids how to make better food choices by cultivating the food they eat. Students planted lettuce, cabbage and collards Friday, all organic. They and their teachers believe it could change the way South Carolinians eat, for life. If you’d like the Auntie Karen Foundation to stop by your school and help students learn about healthy eating by planting vegetables, call 803-553-9800. Garden beds are constructed by Back to Eden, LLC. You may reach them at 803-465-0117. Founder, Ed Brogdon, will demonstrate to children the necessities of cultivating a successful vegetable garden.