Children who qualify for reduced price meals at school can attend Gardens For Learning for free where they learn to plant seeds, harvest & cook veggies and herbs. Food Works at Two Rivers Center invites kids who qualify for free or reduced school meals to attend “Gardens for Learning” free of charge this summer.

According to Hunger Free Vermont, “Recent surveys show that 1 in 5 Vermont children and nearly 1 in 7 Vermont households are food insecure.” The highest incidents of childhood hunger occur in the summer when school is out.

Gardens for Learning addresses the root causes of hunger by giving children cooking and gardening skills and opportunities to explore food, agriculture, and the natural world. The camp provides delicious, healthy and local breakfast treats, lunch and snacks to all campers. Children living in the greater Barre-Montpelier region may to attend the Gardens for Learning program at the Two Rivers Center in Montpelier. There are also programs specifically for children living in the Green Acres or Highgate Apartments in Barre.

This summer marks Gardens for Learning’s 16th season. Each year, campers and parents alike value the experience of working in gardens and cooking with new foods. As one five-year-old camper said, “Tomatoes are inspirational! Inspiration means you love something too much!” Parents have remarked how surprised they are when their children come home from camp and want to eat vegetables.

This summer, Gardens for Learning at Two Rivers Center has merged with the best of Herb Camp! Children - ages 4-7 and 8 & Over - will plant seeds, harvest food, herbs, & flowers, cooking & eat delicious meals, explore farm, meadow, & woods, identify wild & cultivated herbs, learn about nutrition, paint, play, sing, and meet new friends.

Sessions begin June 20, Monday through Thursday from 9:00am-Noon.

Gardens for Learning Camp is $135 for those who are not income eligible.

Contact Food Works at Two Rivers Center for registration information: (802) 223-1515, or info@tworiverscenter.org. For more information on High Gate or Green Acres Gardens for Learning in Barre, contact Megan Hartigan at meghartigan@yahoo.com.