The Edible Garden

Supplies:
1. Plastic container or paper plate to contain the garden

2. One large bag of natural agricultural foods including such items as

• Brown or white rice, yellow or white cornmeal, popcorn for the base
• A variety of nuts
• A variety of beans
• A variety of dried fruits
• A variety of popcorn

3. A smaller bag containing a variety of processed foods including such items as

• Salted pretzel sticks
• Marshmallows
• Candy
• Cereal
• Dried Pasta

Directions:
1. Pass out a container or paper plate along with the large and small bags filled with food

2. Place the contents of the first bag containing natural agricultural products in the plastic container or on the paper plate.

3. Discuss the meaning of a dry landscape, or zen garden, using photos from the internet or books.

4. Arrange the items from the first bag in a pleasing arrangement as one would for a dry landscape garden. Use the pretzel sticks as a rake to create lines in the rice or corn meal.

5. Discuss how the foods were grown (climate, country, state, above or below the ground, planting and harvesting), compare and contrast the nutritional value of the foods in terms of vitamins and minerals, and determine the amount of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

6. Add the contents of the second bag to the garden. Discuss how processed foods contain additional ingredients such as sweeteners and sodium.

7. Use The Nutribase Complete Book of Food Counts to create a lesson for students based on grade level using items from this edible garden and seasonal fresh produce. See second handout for subject and suggested lesson plan ideas for primary, intermediate, and secondary grade levels.