Chicago Grows Food Grow Your Groceries Grow Kits

View the project final report

Commodities

• Agronomic: radish (oilseed, daikon, forage)
• Vegetables: beans, beets, carrots, eggplant, greens (leafy), greens (lettuces), okra, onions, peas (culinary), peppers, radishes (culinary), tomatoes
• Additional Plants: herbs

Practices

• Sustainable Communities: employment opportunities, food sovereignty, local and regional food systems, public participation

The results of this project underscore the significant and far-reaching impact of hands-on, classroom-based agricultural education. With SARE’s support, Chicago Grows Food (CGF) not only met but exceeded its goals, equipping educators with essential tools and support to introduce thousands of students to sustainable urban gardening. Surpassing our target by reaching 3,686 youth across 57 classrooms reflects both the growing demand for this type of education and the effectiveness of our model.

Educators reported noticeable shifts in student engagement, attitudes, and behavior toward growing food. Through the Grow Your Groceries (GYG) program, students who initially viewed farming tasks as tedious or irrelevant began expressing genuine curiosity and excitement. They formed connections between what they grew and what they ate, engaged in thoughtful discussions about food systems, and began making healthier food choices at home. These behavioral and attitudinal changes reflect deeper shifts in knowledge and awareness—core indicators of the program’s success.

This impact was amplified by the educational materials and support CGF provided. Our workshops and lesson plans offered accessible, standards-aligned content that teachers could immediately integrate into their curricula. The inclusion of interactive components—such as planting, harvesting, and recipe-making—made the lessons tangible and relevant to students' lives. By framing agriculture not just as a science, but as a pathway to health, self-reliance, and career opportunity, the program resonated with students across diverse backgrounds.

The voices of our educator partners were instrumental in guiding these outcomes. Their insights shaped every component—from curriculum design to implementation strategy. As a result, they felt more confident and better equipped to teach sustainability in a way that was meaningful and lasting for their students.

Looking forward, CGF will continue building on this momentum through quarterly office hours, expanded curriculum offerings, and regular workshops. These efforts will ensure that the positive impacts seen this year become part of a long-term, sustainable shift in how young people understand and engage with agriculture.

1. In partnership with 57 educators, we were able to increase awareness of sustainable gardening practices by educating students, teachers, and families about growing food, the environmental impact, and the importance of plant health. 
2. This year, we supported 3,686 students by providing each with a Grow Kit that will enable them to be responsible for and learn about the produce they cultivate. Every kit included a fabric pot, soil, seeds, and educational materials.
3. Our project offered the opportunity for participants to engage with professionals from various sustainable agriculture careers including native planting, mushrooms, healthy pest management, building ecosystems, and more. Through partnerships, 12 different experts provided workshops, to help support participants with their gardening journeys.