Good Stuff Gardens Launch

Courtesy of Mich Mendelsohn

KIPP Academy promotes healthy cooking and eating for students

WASHINGTON, DC -- Chef Spike Mendelsohn of Good Stuff Eatery in partnership with Garden District and DC Greenworks is proud to announce the launch of Good Stuff Gardens at KIPP DC's Benning Road Campus (4801 Benning Rd. SE) on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 10am.

Good Stuff Gardens is Chef Spike's contribution to the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. As part of the campaign, the Nation's chefs have been asked to get involved by adopting a school and working with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition.

"I'm very excited to kick off the garden at KIPP DC," said Chef Spike Mendelsohn, Good Stuff Eatery. "With over 30 kids participating we can work together to teach them and their parents about growing vegetables and healthy eating at school and at home."

The "Chefs Move to Schools" program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will pair chefs with interested schools in their communities so together they can create healthy meals that meet the schools' dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices.  With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever.

Chef Spike has been working with KIPP DC on their cooking skills through Saturday classes. The next phase is to teach children the process of growing vegetables and then using them to cook healthy meals.

Garden District (www.gardendistrict-dc.com) located at 1740 14th St NW will provide all the gardening materials and tools for the KIPP students to plant tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, onion, potatoes, peppers and squash. There will also be an herb garden for rosemary, thyme, oregano and various other spices. Organic Mechanic (www.organicmechanicsoil.com), a Garden District supplier, is sponsoring 100% organic potting soil. Garden District is a full service urban garden center owned by Joe Carmack who enjoys supporting many charitable organizations that help make DC a green and inviting city.  As a green goods provider all plant care inventory is organic and sustainable, with many products bought locally.

DC Greenworks (www.dcgreenworks.org) is a nonprofit social enterprise that serves Washington DC community by providing training, tools, and technologies that utilize, advance and protect the environment.  Executive Director Peter Ensign and Green Roof Professional Ty Voyles will be instrumental in ensuring that Good Stuff Gardens is installed effectively in order to provide the students with a functioning sustainable garden.

Good Stuff Eatery (www.goodstuffeatery.com), located at 303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE on Capitol Hill, serves American favorites: handcrafted burgers, hand cut fries and handspun shakes made with the highest quality of farm fresh ingredients. Chef Spike Mendelsohn prides himself on serving classic favorites in a healthy way.

KIPP (www.kipp.org ) is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life.

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303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE * Washington, DC 20003 * 202.543.8222 * info@goodstuffeatery.com