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NEW ORLEANS, La. (WGNO) – The American Heart Association, Entergy and Mary D. Coghill Charter School came together to create a Teaching Garden outside of the Gentilly school on Mirabeau Avenue. Teaching gardens program helps improves kid’s attitudes toward fruits and vegetables and the kids got to try it out for the first time Tuesday.

The Coghill Charter School Teaching Garden is funded by Entergy. This Teaching Garden was created using American Heart Association science and nutrition guidelines coupled with information from gardening and education experts, all thanks to Teaching Garden founder Kelly Meyer. The program combines nutrition education with garden-based learning. It is a real-life laboratory where students learn how to plant seeds, nurture growing plants, harvest produce and ultimately understand the value of good eating habits. Numerous studies have shown that participation in school garden programs can have a positive impact on student’s attitudes toward fruits and vegetables.

Studies show that healthy behavior positively impacts learning. The goal of the program is to improve children’s health:

  • Louisiana ranks fourth in childhood obesity (Trust For America’s Health)
  • Nearly one in three American children are overweight or obese.
  • American eating habits are leading to modern day “malnutrition,” with diets full of high-calorie foods
  • French fries are the most common source of vegetables consumed by children and make-up one-fourth of their vegetable intake. Juice, which may lack important fiber found in whole fruits, accounts for 40 percent of children’s daily fruit intake.

For more information about the Teaching Garden program and how other schools can participate, visit www.takepart.com/teachinggarden.

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