Grant provides healthy and inclusive environment at Oakdale Park Middle School
Posted: July 9, 2026
Categories: nourish to flourish
The “nourish to flourish” grant had a meaningful impact on our school community by increasing student engagement in food literacy, healthy eating and hands-on learning gardening experiences.
The grant provided students opportunities to participate in gardening, food preparation activities and nutrition education that helped them with a better understating of healthy food choices. One of the most significant outcomes is the continued participation in our salad bar and trying new fruits and vegetables. The grant strengthened our community partnerships, which contributed to creating valuable learning opportunities for the students. Also, our heritage days where we celebrated different ethnic foods was great learning for all students and one that they really enjoyed and made for a more accepting environment for all cultures to be accepted and celebrated.
Teachers and students have commented on how the grant has provided engaging, culturally inclusive and healthy learning environments, which have made for a positive, supporting and caring impact on our school’s community. Students feel that teachers and staff have gone above and beyond and really care for them and provide a safe and nurturing learning environment.