Jacksonville, Florida has witnessed a series of store closures along Mayport Road and its neighboring neighborhoods. Among them, the Food Lion and Terry’s Country Store have shut down, leaving a void in terms of fresh, affordable, and healthy food options. Mayport Coastal Sciences Academy, the middle school attended by children from these areas, has received significant support from the USDA’s Farm-to-School Grant Program. This initiative aims to address the issue of food deserts and bring nutritious food to the local community.

Teacher's Perspective on Food Deserts

Social Studies teacher John Meeks shed light on the situation faced by residents in food deserts. He explained that these individuals often rely on dollar stores and drug stores that offer highly processed foods. "They're overpaying for food that they could easily obtain at a nearby grocery store. The distance to a proper grocery store becomes a barrier to accessing healthy food," Meeks emphasized.

Garden Initiative at the School

Garden manager Mary Ellen Waugh, along with a group of dedicated volunteers, works closely with the students every week for approximately 20 minutes. When News4JAX visited, volunteer Victoria Miller was guiding the students on pruning some of the vegetables that were starting to sprout from the soil. Miller shared her motivation for volunteering, saying, "I believe that kids need to see that they have the ability to grow their own food and take charge of their nutrition. It gives them a sense of empowerment."

Hands-on Learning in the Garden

Principal Aaron Lakatos highlighted the importance of the garden initiative. He stated that it provides 6th-grade students with a unique opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences. "It ties in various aspects such as nutrition, science, engineering, and technology. When students see a seed develop into a crop and are able to give it away, it has a profound impact on them. It makes the learning more tangible and meaningful," Lakatos explained.The students are actively involved in growing a variety of vegetables including cabbage, kale, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, spinach, cilantro, and dill. These crops are expected to be ready for harvest at the beginning of the year. The school has set a goal of producing 1,500 pounds of produce based on the seasonal growth chart. This produce will be donated to BEAM’s Mayport food pantry, ensuring that it reaches the local community and helps reduce food insecurity.