Theme: Malcolm X and the School Garden

Berkeley Public Schools are on holiday today to honor the life, contributions, and legacy of Malcolm X. 

We have an elementary school named after him and their garden is HUGE and wonderful - one of the oldest in the district. The garden teacher has been teaching garden education there for over 20 years! 

Here is her spring video:

You'll notice that Farmer Rivka makes a "weedo," which is a term they've coined for when students walk around the garden and make a "burrito" out of whatever they can find. 

They use favorite plants like kale, nasturtium (hot cheetos), broccoli flowers, herbs, and other tasty edibles like miner's lettuce (full of vitamin C!) to make a healthy, filling meal or recess time snack.

Providing access to healthy, filling meals at school is part of the legacy of Malcom X - who became an activist to fight against the injustices affecting his community.

He influenced the Black Panther Party, who started numerous community programs, including providing free breakfast for school kids. This program still exists today.

We know that malnutrition, inequitable access to healthy food, and the subsequent health issues that arise because of diet, disproportionately affect People of Color and other marginalized groups in our society. 

We can make schools more equitable by making sure that all children have access to healthy food, learn about growing their own food, and share their food knowledge with their communities.

In the city of Berkeley, the school garden program staff are passionate about food, access, and education. 

Check out Longellow Middle School's plant sale to support their community! 

Farmer Jesse says, "With this plant sale, our goals are to support local food security, encourage students and their families to garden at home, inspire curiosity about science and the natural world, and empower everyone in our school community to nourish themselves and their families. The way I see it, this is food justice in action."

Willard Middle School also teaches a class called "Growing Leaders" where students grow, cook, and sell their own food to learn about nutrition, science, and business. 

And of course, the Edible Schoolyard at Martin Luther King Jr Middle School, started by Alice Waters, furthers The Black Panther's work by feeding kids at school.

Growing food and sharing it with our communities is a great way to take a stand against racism, other injustices, and, in the words of Malcom X to build a more equitable society. 

"Revolution is based on land. Land is the basis of all independence. Land is the basis of freedom, justice, and equality." -Malcom X