LANCASTER, N.Y. (WKBW) — There's a new group of farmers in Lancaster ready to harvest, Jacque Galas' second-grade class at Como Park Elementary, where all their food goes from classroom garden to table.
"There's nothing like it, and they notice things that I don't notice," Galas said. "If a child is maybe struggling in the classroom with academics, you would never know it in the garden. They come out here, they're harvesting, they're finding things, they're making connections and it's a beautiful thing."
The entire school grows everything from peppers to tomatoes to a clear classroom favorite, watermelons.
"I did see a watermelon back there," second grader Michael Zimmer said. "I love watermelons too."
"Watermelon, because it's my favorite fruit," second grader Fletcher Budzinski said.
"Watermelon is my favorite fruit," second grader Kelly Paul said. "Because it's really sweet."
This class project is one tasty treat. Once everything is ready, it’s delivered straight to the kitchen.
"We wash it and prep it into bite sized food for the children," school cook manager Margaret Baumgart said.
The kids may not admit they like their vegetables.
"I only like fruit, not vegetables," Fletcher said.
"I don't know, I just don't like vegetables," Michael said.
However, Baumgart says don't let them fool you, this is a group of adventurous eaters.
"Every year, it impresses me. It's really interesting. They love beets around here and they love Swiss chard," Baumgart said.
Once the harvest is over this fall, it's right back to work planning a whole new menu for next year.
