The Langley Food Bank is receiving a shipment of some much needed produce, thanks to Langley students.
It’s all part of Nature’s Classroom, a unique program funded by a $14,000 donation from Envision Financial in partnership with the Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) and Maples Discovery Gardens.
Over the course of 12 weeks from April to June, Langley students in five classes selected from Langley Meadows, R.C. Garnett, Langley Fine Arts School and Alex Hope Elementary schools attended six workshops at Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op.
During this time, the students were given a chance to plant their own vegetable gardens while learning about soil and composting and becoming stewards of the environment.
With students away from school on summer vacation, the produce was harvested last week (Aug. 14) by Envision Financial, LEPS, Maples Garden’s staff as well as children from the Langley Summer Day Camp program.
Barb McKeown, branch manager at Envision Financial’s Langley City location, and Tara Bahnman, a personal account representative at the Willoughby branch, were among those who helped with the harvesting.
“Nature’s Classroom provides local students with a great learning opportunity, while allowing them to give back to those in need in their community,” McKeown said.
“This ties in with our organization’s commitment to make a meaningful difference in our local communities and to promote lifelong learning and greater environmental awareness,” she said.
“This is an amazing and important local program,” added Stephanie Captein, agriculture program co-ordinator with LEPS.
“Not only is this a chance for students to learn in a hands-on way about the environment, but also about supporting their communities as the food grown is donated to the Langley Food Bank.”