School garden helps feed the hungry

School garden helps feed the hungry

Students at Meritor Academy in Westlake Village recently harvested vegetables and sold them at a school "Farmer’s Market" to raise money for Food Share Inc., the regional food bank of Ventura County. The school was awarded a grant by the Hansen Agricultural Center to start up a garden that would be used in the curriculum of the school.

Heather Robinson, a parent at the school, wrote the grant proposal, coordinated the efforts of parents and students and managed the harvesting of the crop.

The young gardeners’ Farmer’s Market raised $80 for the food bank. Heads of butter, red and iceberg lettuce as well as green and red chard, broccoli, cabbage, onions, etc., sold for about $1 each. Produce left over from the sale was also taken to the food bank afterward.

Meritor is at 917 Hampshire Road. Call (805) 495-0851 for more information.