CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - Students at Chula Vista High School hope an online competition can help them expand their school garden.
The Chula Vista High garden is one of 140 gardens up for the "Gardens for Good" grant from Nature's Path. The winner gets $15,000.
"This could transform the way thousands of students eat and feel," said Maria Galleher, who teaches the class.
They plan to use the grant money to expand the garden and use it to grow vegetables for the school cafeteria.
Online voting for the grant ends Monday, Oct. 15. Anyone can vote by clicking here.
Right now, 120 students tend to the garden every day. In addition to learning how to grow vegetables, they also learn about composting, using scraps from the cafeteria and recycled paper from classrooms.
"It's my favorite class," said CVHS sophomore Sal Martinez. "This is what I look forward to coming to school every day."
The garden got its initial funding from a USDA grant. The kids who take the class say it changes the way they think about food and the environment.
"I used to eat a lot of junk food," said student Demetrius Helea. "Now, when I'm in this class, I'm eating healthy."
Galleher said it can change families, too, as the students bring what they learn home with them. Many have started gardens with their family or have introduced more healthy recipes that they learn in class.
