Whole Kids Foundation is built on a spirit of collaboration, and we act as a catalyst for change by investing in partnerships with respected experts in the fields of nutrition and education.

Together, we amplify each other’s efforts to improve children's nutrition and wellness.

Throughout 2023, we are spotlighting our current partners and how these organizations are growing the next generation of healthy eaters.

The mission of KidsGardening is to create opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. They seek to support the educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids through grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

Whole Kids Foundation was thrilled to support KidsGardening with the development of the Kids Garden Community, a free community that supports individuals, families, and organizations with the skills, tools, and connections to garden with kids and scale transformative programs. Whole Kids Foundation is excited to see how the KidsGardening vision grows and looks forward to a continued partnership.

We reached out to Em Shipman, Executive Director of KidsGardening, to get the scoop on how they are helping kids learn to love fresh, nutritious, whole foods.

WHOLE KIDS FOUNDATION (WKF): WHAT IS KIDSGARDENING’S APPROACH TO ADVANCING CHILDREN’S NUTRITION AND WELLNESS?

KidsGardening: At KidsGardening, we know that gardening with youth grows happy, healthy kids.

We like to take a broad, inclusive view of wellness. We are creating educational resources and providing grants to programs that nourish the whole child through nutrition education, social-emotional learning, physical activity, sensory integration, and more.

A recent focus of ours has been on the mental health and wellness impacts of gardening with youth. We have found that kids engaged in youth garden programs not only have fun but also develop feelings of pride and empowerment and practice cooperation and problem-solving skills.

Download How Youth Gardens Can Support Social Emotional Learning here.

Gardening with kids also provides them with the needed sensory input for calm, happy bodies and minds. When kids get the right amount of sensory input, their bodies feel calmer and more organized, allowing a mental state open to joy and wonder.

Download Design a Sensory Garden here.

Closely linked is kids’ physical health. When kids grow and harvest fruits and vegetables, they're more motivated to taste them.

In 2021, we found that seventy-two percent of our recent grantees report that they noticed improvements in fruit and veggie consumption among youth in their programs. Sixty-five percent noticed improvements in nutritional attitudes.

In 2023 and beyond, KidsGardening plans to continue to develop resources that celebrate the many health benefits of gardening. We will continue to de-center White food norms and health metrics like body weight. We have opted out of conversations about kids' body shapes and sizes and childhood obesity.

Download The Many Benefits of Cooking With Kids here.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS IN GARDENING WITH KIDS, AND WHAT IMPACT CAN IT HAVE ON GETTING THEM INVOLVED?

A key component of healthy childhood development is a consistent connection to caring adults. We know from decades of experience supporting educators and caregivers that gardens are a place where people of all ages can find refuge from their busy lives and nurture connections with one another.

Whether you have a backyard, front yard, balcony, patio, or just a sunny windowsill, there are a plethora of ways you can squeeze in a few “gardening moments” to build happy memories and connections with kids. From establishing a big garden to engaging kids with a quick-growing activity, gardening at home provides opportunities for discovery, engagement, and fun.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT OF THE KIDS GARDEN COMMUNITY?

KidsGardening facilitates an online community of youth garden educators called the Kids Garden Community. Since we launched in May 2021, the Kids Garden Community has gathered over 6000 members. ​The Community is facilitated by KidsGardening and led by a diverse group of youth garden movement leaders from around the country.

​Youth garden educators are using the Community to ask one another questions, share curriculum, resources, and experiences, search for grants, post and learn about events, job search, and get discounts on garden supplies. In a recent survey, 87% of Community member respondents said that being a member of the Community has significantly improved their ability to garden with kids successfully.

WHAT CURRENT OR UPCOMING PROJECT OR PROGRAM IS YOUR TEAM EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW?

KidsGardening is especially excited about a webinar series we are offering right now. It’s called Culturally Inclusive Teaching in the Garden. Garden education is increasingly recognized as an interdisciplinary approach that integrates academic goals, health and wellness, place-based education, and community connections and relationships. With intentional programming, a garden is also an amazing tool to foster important cultural discussions. To validate and celebrate the interests and experiences of students, this webinar series delves deep into the significance of culture as it relates to food and gardens and also as it relates to the diverse populations with whom we work.