With support from the Big Lots Foundation, Spurwink is expanding its Seed to Plate Program, introducing youth with behavioral health challenges and development disabilities to gardening and eating fresh, local, unprocessed foods. The Day Treatment and Residential Programs in Lewiston will use the funds to build a new greenhouse, allowing them to grow tomatoes, lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers, and peppers, from seed.
The Seed to Plate program will span Spurwink’s four residential campuses and day treatment programs in Portland, Chelsea, Cornville, and Lewiston. In the garden and gathered together around the table, youth learn about the care it takes to grow a seed to harvest, create life-long healthy eating habits, and gain confidence from working together to build a healthy community.