Our Purpose

School Garden Support * Activities * Healthy Living

Our Purpose is

To create space and programs where children feel connected to the earth and each other, work in harmony with nature and eat the fruits of their labour;
To support school garden education by providing classes in organic food growing principles, food activity stations and cooking classes and facilitating school community garden clubs;
To make a difference in the lives of youth and children by providing ways to live a healthier life by:
- To facilitate activities with labyrinths projects focusing on mindfulness, self-regulation and social emotional learning
- To facilitate conversations about the various Virtues and how they can apply in a garden or kitchen setting as in real life
- To connect the lessons learned in the classroom to those lessons in the garden and kitchen settings

The Result: Healthy Kids, Mind, Body and Heart.

Our Vision

Individually assisting in the development of the next generation to create more empowered awakened children; equipping them with skills and self awareness to contribute to the change needed in the world.

We Stand For

Health and Well Being through school garden education, summer wellness and cooking camps, after school garden and cooking class programs
Understanding and Compassion – Relationship Building and Connection
The quest to do more for the earth, ourselves and each other
Love of the Outdoors
Love of Food

The family home kitchen

Community building – cooking with social skills; platform for support
relationship building: long-term partnerships between people, kids, the community
Creating a lasting legacy and impact, one school community at a time
Passion, Purpose & Well BEing
Fostering the Connection we each have to ourselves, the Earth and each other.

Achievements

First Edible School Garden Built in Burnaby School District, Forest Grove Elementary, 2011
2016 City of Burnaby Environmental Award – Winner
2016 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards, Barb McMahon – Community Champion - Nominee
2014 City of Burnaby Environmental Award – Forest Grove School Garden Project Winner (Sprouting Chefs Society as Community Partner)
2011 First Edible School Garden Creation and Build, Forest Grove Elementary (Sprouting Chefs as Community Partner)

Testimonials

Sprouting Chefs is a great program, ran by a top-notch individual Barb Koyanagi McMahon- highly recommend it as part of a school program!

Bettina Tioseco

Westside Montesorri Academy, Vancouver, BC

Excellent educational program and enrichment for our children that should be in every school. Thank you, Barb, for all your hard work!

Parent

Forest Grove Elementary

This program has provided my children with a way to connect to school, even when they may be struggling in class or with social anxieties. It has been a positive and nurturing experience that allows each child to participate in their own way and lead to connections across grade levels within the school community.