Galveston’s Own Farmers Market and Galveston ISD Continue to Inspire Kids to Explore Gardens and Try Vegetables

Galveston, TX – October 1, 2024 – Galveston’s Own Farmers Market (GOFM) and Galveston Independent School District (GISD) are excited to announce the upcoming Poster Reveal + Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the second Farm-to-School (F2S) Poster Campaign featuring art by George Miller. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 8 at Austin Elementary School. This collaborative initiative aims to inspire students of all ages to discover the joy of gardening and the importance of healthy eating.

Launched in January 2024, The F2S Poster Campaign is a three-part series celebrating the creativity and talent of three artists who participated in the campaign to inspire children to embrace healthy eating and gardening. The first poster, designed by Reginald Adams III, has been replaced by George Miller’s “Gardens Belong to Everyone” artwork until December 2024. In January 2025, Daniel Torres's “Care, Learn, Love, Repeat” design will take its place. The colorful and engaging posters will be displayed throughout GISD schools, encouraging students to explore the wonders of the school gardens and appreciate the delicious flavors of fresh vegetables in their meals.

“He looks just like me!” says one student at Burnet Elementary, while GOFM & GISD Staff put up Reginald Adam’s “Gardens are our Superpower!” poster in the bustling cafeteria.

“Representation matters. By showcasing the work of diverse artists in our poster campaign, we aim to create a sense of belonging and inclusivity for all children,” says Casey McAuliffe, Executive Director of GOFM. “We wanted them to see themselves reflected in the work of these talented artists. When our students feel at-home in their schools and gardens, they’re more curious about playing in the soil, trying a new vegetable—and growing into their authentic selves.”

This endeavor is part of GOFM’s multi-year USDA grant which was awarded to GOFM in July 2023 to further strengthen the partnership with GISD and further YGP’s reach to the students and families. GOFM’s Young Gardeners Program (YGP) has played a role in fostering a love of gardening and healthy eating among GISD students since 2017. The Program operates an after-school program in all GISD elementary and middle schools and continues to expand its reach thanks to this recent USDA Farm-to-School grant. With the support of this grant, YGP has been integrated into the school day, increasing "Eat Fresh" vegetable tastings as part of school lunches and after-school dinners, development of food sovereignty-focused curriculum, and this poster art project.

How can you support this work? GOFM’s Young Gardeners Program Director Honi Alexander answers, “Become a Friend or Volunteer as a Garden Aide at one of the many schools. Your time and energy are essential to ensuring we teach the magic of gardening to our kids–plus, you can do it with only one hour a week!”

Interested community members can learn more about volunteering by emailing volunteer@gofarmersmarket.com or visiting our website: https://galvestonsownfarmersmarket.com/volunteer

About Galveston’s Own Farmers Market

Founded in 2012, Galveston's Own Farmers Market is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to connecting our community to local foods through year-round weekly farmers markets, food access initiatives, school gardens, and health & food education opportunities. Learn more about our programs: https://galvestonsownfarmersmarket.com/about

About Galveston ISD

Galveston ISD is a public school district in Texas, established in 1884, that serves nearly 7,000 students. Its 10 Schools of Choice campuses consist of traditional and theme-based schools, charter schools, STEM programs, magnet schools, and a mega-magnet high school. The district’s mission is to Educate, Engage and Empower EACH student for a life of Excellence. To learn more, visit www.gisd.org.