Free afternoon program teaches children about eating healthy and growing vegetables

WASHINGTON (WJLA) - Tucked among low income apartment buildings in Washington, D.C. grows Common Good City Farm and an educational program for local children.

The free afternoon program which is held from 4:30-6pm is called LEAF, which stands for "Learning For Environment, Agriculture and Food."

"This is a city so a lot of (children) have never been in a place where they can get their hands dirty and plant things and see where their food comes from," said Kelly McGuinness, Program Coordinator for LEAF.

The program not only teaches the youngsters basic gardening skills. For first-time participant Sierra Smith, it also exposed her to a new vegetable - kale- which she cut for the smoothie they will make.

Seven-year-old Jamie Robinson is a regular participant of LEAF and is excited to make the healthy snack. "I like kale, apple juice, apples, bananas. That's everything in there," she added.

And that's the goal of LEAF.

McGuinness said Leaf is teaching children "about healthy eating and how vegetables can taste good and how hard work can often result in something fruitful. I hope they take that with them wherever they go."

The children not only get to take home the recipes for the snacks they make. They also leave with a bag filled with farm-fresh produce.

The program is held on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays through the end of October.