![\"\"](\"https:\/\/odhc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/2018.06-Woman-Cutting-Veggies-Garden-lower-res.jpg\")
Nutrition Nibbles\nApril is National Garden Month<\/p>\n
Nutrition Nibbles
\nApril is National Garden Month<\/p>\n
Nutrition is just one of many reasons to have a garden. It allows you to eat locally, which means knowing where
\nyour food comes from, and save money. There’s an even bigger harvest of benefits when you involve children in
\nthe process. Planting, watching over and harvesting a garden provides daily opportunities for children to learn valuable
\nlessons and enjoy physical activity, while reaping the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor. It also increases
\nthe likelihood that picky eaters will try the fruits and vegetables since they helped grow and harvest them.
\nNot sure how to get started?<\/p>\n
Join (or even start) a neighborhood garden.
\nWith more than 1 million community gardens nationwide, chances are there’s one near you. By paying a small fee,
\nyou can rent a plot of land where you can grow all the vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers you like, strengthen
\nfriendships with your neighbors, and take an active role in greening your community. Many community gardens
\ninclude a water source and till the soil for you. You can also share a plot with a small group of 2 or 3 \u2013 a friend, relative,
\nchild, or senior.<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t like the idea of gardening for yourself, try the local farmers market.
\nWith a little planning, your trip to the farmers market can be a perfect way to introduce your family to new foods
\nwhile learning where our food comes from.<\/p>\n
Plan ahead. Bring a list of what foods you need. Get your child excited about what new foods will be there, and
\nask your child what new things they would like to try.<\/p>\n
Try something new. Challenge yourself and your child to try at least one new food item. The farmers market
\nis the perfect setting for sampling unique foods.<\/p>\n
Talk to the farmers. Take this opportunity to meet your local farmers and producers in a relaxed setting. Use
\nthis time to have a conversation with the people responsible for growing or making your food.<\/p>\n
Ask questions. Not sure how to incorporate that purple potato into a dish your family would like? Ask the individuals
\nselling the foods; they are a wealth of knowledge for various ideas of how to use their food as ingredients
\nin your recipes. Some even have recipes available for you to take home.<\/p>\n
Make a farm-to-table meal. Now, use a medley of what you gathered at the farmers market to prepare your
\nmeal. Involve your children in the kitchen, helping to prepare the various ingredients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nutrition Nibbles April is National Garden Month Nutrition is just one of many reasons to have a garden. It allows you to eat locally, which means knowing where your food […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1422,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[71,73,74,70,75,72],"yoast_head":"\n