In a recent show for Riverwest Radio I host called Healthy Food in the 53212, I spoke with my Uncle about his community garden-creating experience and tap into some of his thoughts and strategies around gardening, but also with us was Rose, my niece, who I asked about her favorite things in a garden. She said tomatoes, and when I asked her how she likes to eat them, she said, ‘nibble.’ She went on to emphasize how much she likes tomatoes and how she doesn’t really like anything else in the garden. For her, having family members who are active gardeners, gardening is normal, and she is picking up lots of knowledge and customs that are part of family culture. She will have lots of opportunities to be involved in growing, preparing and eating fresh, healthy food. As a result she will likely keep healthy food in her life, and will benefit from the nutrition and the health that goes along with these kinds of critical healthy lifestyle choices. But what about all the children who don’t have an Uncle Joe, or a mom gardener? The most likely other way to offer something approaching the supports Rose receives is school. Imagine, and there are lots of examples of this across the country and the world, that classrooms have little greenhouses on a few shelves, hydroponics and worm composting in a basement room, and raised beds in an unused corner of the school property. Imagine that a horticulture club harvests and preps fresh vegetables and fruit for a school day snack, or to supplement lunch. Imagine the students becoming advocates for community health through growing food locally with community. Imagine the students starting a raised bed at their homes, where their family can build their own knowledge and customs around growing and eating food, cutting their food budgets and increasing quality time together. How can we build this reality for Milwaukee’s children? What are the first steps? What is currently happening in isolated pockets across MPS and afterschools that could be replicated and expanded? This is an ongoing question we are asking across a variety of experts and community leaders on a weekly basis on Healthy Food in the 53212. Tune in on Tuesdays, 4-4:30pm at 104.1 fm in or near Riverwest, or on Soundcloud anytime, and let me know if you would like to be a guest to share your knowledge or experiences gardening with children!