NatureSweet creates fruit and vegetable gardens for schools in Mexico

San Antonio-based NatureSweet has partnered with the nonprofit Fundación Educa México A.C. to help create herb, fruit and vegetable gardens at schools near six NatureSweet facilities throughout Mexico.

The program is called Escuelas Por La Tierra, and gardens have been established at schools that are near NatureSweet facilities in San Isidro, Zapotlán, Nayarit, Tuxcacuesco, Colima and the company’s Guadalajara office, according to a news release.

“What a great opportunity for our communities to learn more about agriculture and how each of us can play a role in sustainable development,” Fernanda Suarez, sustainability and social impact director at NatureSweet, said in the release. “It was a joy watching the children’s faces light up as they helped plant and water the seedlings.”

Seeds that attract pollinators and germinate quickly have already been planted, such as amaranth, radish, lettuce, carrot, beets, cilantro, celery, pumpkin, green tomato, pea, purslane, chard and parsley, the release said.

NatureSweet has provided the financial support to sustain the program, which is divided into stages, according to the release.

Volunteers and staff from both NatureSweet and Fundación Educa México helped kick off the program by creating the gardens. During the next phase, teachers and students will learn how to care for the fruits and vegetables and maintain the gardens, the release said.

The Escuelas Por La Tierra program is one of the many initiatives NatureSweet is committed to regarding the company’s sustainability and social responsibility efforts, the company said.