Garden to Table Program at Sage

At Sage, we believe children should have enjoyable encounters with food and begin to understand where food comes from. Our garden to table program is embraced by children all year round. It is an opportunity for children to learn about how to plant, nourish, harvest and prepare fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs as a life skill. This program explores concepts of sustainability and caring for the environment, and most importantly, understanding how food is nurtured and grown before it is part of our meal.

Gardening provides endless learning opportunities for children. It is a fun and interactive way for children to learn about the natural world around them. Here are some of the benefits of our garden to table program:

-           Increased physical activity: gardening encourages physical movement, strength and stamina, building on children’s fine and gross motor skills.

-           Promotes healthy eating: experiencing growing fruits, vegetables and herbs and exploring these ingredients in cooking.

-           Sparks creativity and curiosity: opportunities to learn about nature and the environment, and explore creative ways to design gardens, flowers and plants.

-           Environmental care: teaching children about the importance of caring for the environment and learning about where food comes from.

-           Mental health and wellbeing: gardening is known to reduce stress and anxiety and improve moods. From gardening to cooking, this program promotes fun and enjoyment for children.

If you are thinking of exploring gardening with your child, here are some tips to extending this program at home:

-           Carefully plan gardening time with your child. Let them know ahead of time and encourage their excitement during conversations leading up to your gardening session.

-           Start with simple plants that are easy to maintain and grow. This will ensure more success with gardening which will hold children’s interest for longer.

-           Involve your child in all stages for gardening, from choose what to plant, watering plants, and harvesting. Ensure you celebrate the outcomes of your garden, whether its admiring flowers grown or eating your produce.

-           Invest in child size tools, gloves and garden beds. This will support reducing difficulty and challenges with gardening.