Five elementary schools win greenhouse and a grant from Washington Potato Commission
MOSES LAKE – Five elementary schools in the greater Puget Sound area have been notified that they have won a greenhouse from the International Greenhouse Company (IGC) and a $1,000 grant from the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) as part of the Kids Are Growing competition.
A partnership of the WSPC, IGC, Simon Malls and KING5 television offered the competition to elementary schools. The winning schools were: Fidalgo Elementary, Anacortes; High Point Elementary, West Seattle; North Bend Elementary, North Bend; Evergreen Elementary Mount Lake Terrace; and All Saints School, Puyallup.
“This is all part of our efforts to educate the public on potatoes—their nutrition, value to the state and what it takes to grow them,” said Karen Bonaudi, WSPC Assistant Executive Director. “This is the second year we have collaborated with International Greenhouse and KING5 on this program.”
The competition was announced in press releases and in ads on KING 5 and on its Evening Magazine program. International Greenhouse Company donated greenhouses to the schools and Simon Malls collected submissions. Additionally, Marlys Bedlington of Pure Potato in Lynden, Washington will supply potato seed pieces to the schools.
The $1,000 grants are being awarded and celebrated at school assemblies. “They can put the funds towards supplies, personnel or enlarging the greenhouse itself,” said Bonaudi. Schools and students will also receive gifts of educational materials from the WSPC.
“Our growers have been very pleased with the program,” said Bonaudi. “It delivers significant educational messages to families who have not necessarily had access to it. Some students have been raised in apartments and think potatoes grow on trees like apples.”
The educational materials are available free to all schools, she said, not only the five winners. Parents and teachers can access information and order through the WSPC website www.potatoes.com.
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Chef2Chef News Desk