Sacramento Head Start Alumni Association

WGCF Launches Fundraising Campaign To Put Garden in Every School

Feb 26, 2003

WGCF Launches Fund-raising Campaign To Put Garden in Every School


Western Growers Charitable Foundation, the public outreach and research arm of Western Growers, has announced an ambitious goal to raise about $6 million to plant a garden in every California and Arizona school.

Western Growers is organizing educators, nutrition policymakers and state legislators to create awareness with families of the importance of a healthy diet and the link between nutrition and food production. WGCF has already begun implementing plans to raise money for more than 7,000 schools in California and Arizona without gardens.

The fund-raising campaign, Growing With Children, was launched in January and a groundbreaking ceremony is set for Tuesday, March 25 at Noralto Elementary School in Sacramento.

WGCF Chairman A.G. Kawamura said the foundation is determined to fulfill the visionary project started in 1995 by the California Department of Education. The department?’s efforts, along with alarming statistics on obesity and diabetes released by children?’s health agencies, have helped galvanize the fresh produce association?’s efforts.

According to the California Center for Health Advocacy, of 6.2 million California school-aged children, 26.5 percent are overweight and 39.6 percent are unfit. Nearly 48 percent of Arizonans are considered overweight with only 23 percent of Arizona residents consuming five or more fruits and vegetables per day.

Obesity continues to be recognized by the media and legislators as a national epidemic. Obesity in children can lead to many health problems including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

?“We have forgotten the relationship between nutrition and good health and we have lost touch with agriculture?’s place in society,?” said Kawamura, a past chairman of WG. ?“That disconnect and lack of understanding is creating tremendous challenges. By placing this valuable learning resource in each school, we?’re hoping they will find an appreciation for our society?’s agrarian roots and learn about how their food is produced. The obvious benefits of eating healthier foods, like nuts, fruits and vegetables is a win for both kids and our industry.?”

WGCF has teamed up with several organizations on this two-state plan, including the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, California Women for Agriculture, California Department of Education, California Department of Health Services, California 5 a Day for Better Health! Campaign, Gold Country Region 5 a Day Power Play! Campaign, National Gardening Association, University of California Cooperative Extension, Ag Network, Phoenix Revitalization Corporation?’s Casa de Nueva Esperanza and Phoenix Children?’s Theatre.

WG extends a special recognition to T-Systems International, Inc. in San Diego, who has donated drip-tape irrigation systems to each garden planted through the Growing With Children campaign.

?“Our goal is to provide a hands-on opportunity to learn about agriculture and the importance of nutrition,?” said Danielle Blacet, who is based in WG Sacramento office and is coordinating the garden program. ?“We?’re working with some great organizations and we have reached out to every state legislator. The response has been amazing. They recognize what we are trying to accomplish and how important it is for us to reach our goal.?”

Donations to the Growing With Children program may be made to WGCF, in care of WG, 17620 Fitch Street, Irvine, CA, 92614. WGCF is a 501(c)(3), and the tax identification number is 93-1201791. Donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, contact Blacet at (916) 446-1435 or Marilyn Martin, Arizona director of science and government affairs, at (602) 266-6149, or visit WG?’s Web site (www.wga.com) and click on ?“Garden Program.?”