On Tuesday, March 1, a mountain of compost will be piled high at Tennyson High School in Hayward and San Lorenzo High School in San Lorenzo.  A total of 40 cubic yards of WM EarthCare^TMHomegrown Compost will arrive at the two sites, a donation from Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc.  The locally produced compost from Alameda County yard trimmings and food scraps will help kick-off spring planting at 21 Project EAT school gardens in Hayward and San Lorenzo unified school districts.
 
“We are thrilled to share the nourishing benefits of Homegrown Compost and to help Project EAT educate their students about the natural food cycle,” said Karen Stern, Waste Management’s WM EarthCare^TMspokesperson.  “By demonstrating the power of compost to nourish the soil that gives life to the plants the students eat, they are better able to understand the closed-loop connection to food scraps recycling in their homes.”
 
 “We all know that you don’t grow gardens, you grow dirt.  We are grateful for Waste Management for supporting a unique and engaging learning environment for our students and providing the necessary ingredients to produce healthy food for our students in Alameda County,” said Chris Boynton, Director, Project EAT.
 
“We appreciate Waste Management’s donation to help create and maintain school gardens in Alameda County,” said Sheila Jordan, Alameda County Superintendent of Schools. “For years, funding from the Public Health Department’s Network for a Healthy CA has supported Project EAT’s nutrition education in school gardens.  Unfortunately, a recent change in legislation threatens the use of that funding.  We hope that this critical support continues and is expanded to include supplies to run the gardens.”
 
ACOE’s Project EAT – Educate, Act, Thrive -  (www.projecteat.com) provides nutrition education and physical activity promotion through garden-based education and cooking connection classes.  Both in-school and after-school programming are available to preschool- 12th grade students. Project EAT’s standards-based curriculum promotes academic success along with the development of healthy nutrition through the use of active school gardens.  Project EAT also provides free Adult Healthy Living classes for parents, community members and low-income families in multiple school districts throughout Alameda County.  The project aims to help students and families to establish a life-long dedication to their communities and environment. 
 
WM EarthCare^TMis a product of Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc.  Through WMAC’s network of hauling and processing facilities, it closes the loop on organic waste in Alameda County turning yard trimmings and food scraps into compost and clean construction lumber into mulch.  The 100% recycled, locally sourced and produced compost and mulch return nourishment and structure to local soil.  To learn more, visit www.wmearthcare.com
 
Project Eat School Gardens Receiving WM EarthCare^TM Homegrown Compost:

 
Bidwell Elementary
Bowman Elementary
Burbank Elementary
Chavez Middle School
Cherryland Elementary
Colonial Acres Elementary
Eldridge Elementary
Hesparian Elementary
Longwood Elementary
Lorenzo Manor Elementary
Ochoa Middle School
Palma Ceia Elementary
Park Elementary
Ruus Elementary
San Lorenzo High
Shafer Park Elementary
Shepard School
Tennyson High School
Treeview Elementary
Tyrell Elementary
Winton Middle School