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Schools Teaching Organic Gardening: “Do what I say and do”By Andrea Bossenmeyer In this article we will look into the movement that is transforming the nation’s schools, the “Local Food Movement” via school gardens. Americans are facing epidemic levels of childhood on-set of diabetes, a disease which in many of these children is preventable. Local schools are implementing gardens which allow for hands-on-learning in a variety of educational subjects (science, math, history, economics), in addition to exposing children to a concept of where their food comes from, how it is grown and what different fruits and vegetables taste like. School gardens are a fun way to expand student interest and involvement in their own education and their own long-term health care. Why epidemic levels of diabetes and obesity?
We are now in an age where the majority of the population does not grow any of their own food on their own farms or in their own backyards. The majority of food is purchased either at a grocery store, “fast food” chains, convenience stores or restaurants. The dilemma with purchasing and consuming food from these places is much of the food purchased needs to be transported long distances to its end location. In order for that to be achieved, the food must be preserved so it doesn’t rot or spoil in transport. Preservatives are therefore used to allow for transportation, and it is the preservatives which are creating many health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary disease. Processed food is another concern for our children's health. Processed food essentially means food that has been altered from its original state and therefore contains preservatives. Most of our food processing is derived from corn, which is a high source of sugar. High fructose corn syrup is made by changing (glucose) into fructose (another form of sugar). This ingredient extends the shelf life of processed food and is cheaper than sugar, which is why it is the "preservative of choice" for the food industry. Cheap and sweet. The fundamental issue with consuming high fructose corn syrup, one of the most popular preservatives, is that these foods are high in calories and low in nutritional value. Regularly including processed foods and products in your diet is promoting obesity in our society — which, in turn, creates conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
So how do we reverse the effects? How do we get healthy again? Schools join in the local food movementSchools around the nation have already started to take action. They are creating school gardens which are an example of the Local Foods Movement.
People who participate in the “local foods movement” believe in purchasing foods from local farmers markets, grocery co-operatives, and community supported agriculture co-ops within a certain distance of their homes. The most frequently chosen number is within 100 miles. Schools are taking this to a whole new level by not only purchasing from local farmers but also by placing a garden onsite that provides food for the cafeterias. By participating in the local foods movement, schools and individuals are telling the food production industry in America, “We will not accept food that is nutritionally void anymore. We demand healthy food. We are demanding it by purchasing from local farmers who do not contaminate the food we eat with pesticides and chemicals which are making us sick. We will not buy and consume foods that have been genetically modified, or eat animals that have been pumped up with steroids, antibiotics and chemicals that I will in turn consume and will harm my body.” 
Industry follows the money
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