Alice Waters’ school garden project grew into a global network of 5,800 programmes across 75 countries

What began as a small project in a neglected schoolyard in California has grown into an international movement that teaches children about food, gardening and the environment. The Edible Schoolyard Project was founded in 1995 by chef and food activist Alice Waters. Today, it connects more than 5,800 garden and food education programmes across 75 countries and 53 US states and territories. According to the Edible Schoolyard Network registry, the project has grown from a single school garden in Berkeley, California, into a worldwide network of school gardens, classrooms and food education programmes.Transforming concrete into living classroomsThe project began when Waters, who founded the well-known Chez Panisse restaurant and previously worked as a Montessori teacher, passed Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley. She noticed an overgrown plot of land and a school kitchen that was no longer in use. Working with school leaders, teachers and local residents, Waters started a project to turn the unused asphalt area into an organic garden. She also helped reopen the kitchen so students could learn about food through practical lessons. According to the project's official docume...