Campus Kitchen Project

During the summer of 2008, the Campus Kitchens Project and the Painted Turtle Farm at Gettysburg College brought together nutrition education with environmental education in a camp program, developing the ideas of sustainability and food security.  The GREEN GOODIES Project was funded by a grant from Projects for Peace and worked to foster healthy lifestyles and environmental responsibility in campers and college students through mutual learning experiences centered on food.

The GREEN GOODIES camp collaborated with the summer camp for children at The Center/El Centro to learn about aspects of nutrition and the environment.  Campers planted their own gardens at The Center/El Centro and worked each week on growing and harvesting their crops.  They also learned about organic farming and the use of pesticides.  To reinforce this learning, campers took a field trip to Broad Valley Orchard, where they were able to experience a thriving organic farm.  In the field of nutrition, campers  learned about the new Food Guide Pyramid, and got to experience hands-on what added fats and sugars look like in their foods and beverages.  They ended their lessons in nutrition by planning and making dishes to serve at the end-of-summer picnic at The Center/El Centro.