Staff members at Olivia Park, community members and 80
family members gathered at the Olivia Park Garden on August 27 to enjoy a
“Feast from the Garden,” hosted by the Lynnwood Whole Foods Market. The dinner
featured dishes made from produce grown in the garden, combined with food
donated by Whole Foods Market. The purpose of the meal was to celebrate and
honor the school’s beautiful garden, its bounty and those who contributed to
the success of the garden.
Mary-Kate Olsen, teacher and coordinator of the garden
project, explained that Whole Foods Market is very passionate about eating
healthy and helping people achieve that goal. She said the market has partnered
with Olivia Park and its garden project since the opening of its Lynnwood store
last year. Olivia Park also received one of the first garden grants from the
Whole Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Whole Foods that is
dedicated to helping kids eat better—and enjoy it! The recent grant funded a shed
and hoop house to help grow foods in the colder months. More than 20 Whole
Foods team members also have volunteered their time working the garden.
The Olivia Park Garden was originally founded 12 years
ago by John Smith, then a teacher at the school. He planted apple trees and
grew flowers around the area. The garden was re-established in January 2010 by
the school’s PTA, families, staff, and community partnerships. The garden is
now used by teachers to integrate hands-on science and math lessons that are
aligned with curriculum. Teachers around the area also have learned more about
agricultural engineering and integrating other STEM concepts by using the
garden.
The Olivia Park Garden grows a bountiful amount of
rhubarb, kale, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, beans, peas, corn, squash,
artichokes, pumpkins, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries,
currants, grape, plums, and apples at different times throughout the year.
The garden is maintained by Olivia Park students,
families and community members who volunteer their time. Other families and
community members who want to volunteer to harvest fruit and vegetables can do
so on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Extra harvest is sold at the South Everett Farmer’s
Market through the nonprofit, Farmer Frog, a non-profit organization devoted to
teaching people to grow food in cities. All proceeds from sales go back to the
garden.
