Harvesting Health: How Port Townsend’s Garden-Fueled School Meals are Growing Healthier Futures
Port Townsend School District in Washington is redefining what it means to serve healthy, sustainable meals in schools. With the support of the Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) grant, the district has transformed its school nutrition program into a vibrant, community-driven initiative that connects students to the land, their food, and each other. This transformation was made possible through the HMI Initiative, a partnership between Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) and the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which awarded 264 subgrants to School Food Authorities (SFAs) nationwide to enhance the nutritional quality of school meals and promote nutrition education.
The school garden is on track to grow 5,000 pounds of fresh produce. Practical and innovative menus are planned weekly based on garden yields, and leftovers are creatively repurposed.
Port Townsend School District’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when vision, community, and student voice come together. With strategic investments in staffing, equipment, and education, the district has created a sustainable model that nourishes both body and mind. Their story is not just one of overcoming challenges—it’s a blueprint for cultivating wellness, resilience, and empowerment through school meals.