Lose For Good Gardens: Chicago

Posted by Nicole Fitzgerald on Friday, November 12, 2010

Chicaco Garden Through its partnership with Weight Watchers and their Lose For Good® campaign, Share Our Strength is donating six Lose For Good® Gardens across the country this fall. These are fully-enclosed, sustainable, raised-bed gardens that offer children fun, hands-on gardening experiences to inspire healthy eating habits for life. These in-the-garden experiences are an important component in educating children and their families on the appeal and importance of fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods – key ingredients to ending childhood hunger.

In September, Weight Watchers launched its third annual Lose For Good™ campaign. Lose For Good encourages Weight Watchers members to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle while also giving back to the community. As members lose weight, Weight Watchers makes a donation to Share Our Strength. Members also have the opportunity to participate in local food drives to help fight hunger in their communities. Winners of this past year’s Lose For Good® campaign are the 2010 Weight Watchers Role Models of the Year. Garden sites were selected in each of their communities: Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York City and Raleigh. Each garden is being placed in a school or center that serves children who may be at risk for hunger.

Chicago was first on the list…

On a rainy September morning, Weight Watchers members and ambassadors joined Share Our Strength representatives at Victor Herbert Elementary School in the East Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago to unveil the school’s Lose For Good Garden. Though the event started with a torrential downpour, fourth- and seventh-grade students were ready to get their hands (and clothes!) dirty as we planted cauliflower, tomatoes, hot peppers, collard greens, cabbages, kohlrabi, corn and herbs. The bright red and yellow chili peppers got many of the kids’ attention, and will surely be a crop request for seasons to come!

Chicago Garden