Fox Farm Plants Hope For Health in Southern California Elementary School

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Within the Pasadena Unified School District (53.6% Latino students), students at Altadena’s Franklin Elementary School celebrate their first harvest from their school garden, Fox Farm.

According to Pasadena Now, Franklin Elementary School is considered one of the most underserved elementary schools in the District (72% Latino), where more than 40% are English learners, more than 80% of the students participate in free and reduce price lunch and are living in what is considered a “food desert”, where healthy food is distant and junk food is plentiful.

Unfortunately, studies show, Latino students often live in food deserts, see more junk food ads than their peers, and have less access to salad and fruit bars in their schools.

However, now Franklin Elementary is enjoying the development of their school garden from a fund that was part of a $70,000 grant from The Conservancy to the district from the Pasadena Education Foundation (PEF). The Conservancy is an all-volunteer supported non-profit that uses donations to support local efforts, including other school and community gardens.

Fox Farm will now help over 270 students in Franklin Elementary have access to more fruits and vegetables and enjoy learning and growing healthy foods from the gardens.

Beth Hansen, Chair of the Conservancy told local news that she hopes that this garden will help create a healthier Pasadena and Altadena through food gardens and that it would be a rewarding experience for all who visit Fox Farm.

Funds for a Master Gardener were also provided through the grant to help students learn about germination, soil, insects, gardening, nutrition, harvesting as well as assist in pre-science curriculum and field trip learning experiences.