Norwalk Families Harvest Produce At Fodor Farm In Growing Gardens Program

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk families participating in the Norwalk Health Department’s Growing Gardens, Growing Health program harvested fruits, vegetables and herbs Tuesday as they marked the end of the summer season at Fodor Farm.

Now in its 14th year, the program provides families with hands-on gardening instruction, nutrition education and cooking demonstrations. Participants spent the summer learning how to grow produce, eat healthy on a budget and prepare kid-friendly meals.

Adults and children also watered, weeded and pruned their gardens throughout the summer.

During the fourth week of the program, families visited Grade A ShopRite in Norwalk for an interactive grocery store tour led by UConn educators. Parents and children practiced reading food labels, managing food budgets and choosing nutritious foods before taking part in a hands-on shopping activity.

The Norwalk Health Department partnered with UConn’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, volunteer Master Gardeners, Grade A ShopRite of Norwalk and the Norwalk Department of Recreation and Parks to provide the program.

“As a dietitian, I know that simply telling families to eat more fruits and vegetables isn’t enough,” said Heather Peracchio, a registered dietitian and UConn assistant extension educator. “The summer program ‘Growing Gardens, Growing Health’ gives families the opportunity to learn by doing, from growing and harvesting fresh produce to preparing healthy recipes and practicing food safety. That hands-on experience helps turn nutrition education into skills families can use at home.”

The program is funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant through the Connecticut Department of Public Health. UConn Extension’s participation is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.

The funding supports nutrition education focused on healthy eating, food preparation and active living.