Helping Children Learn About Produce

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and staff, and UnitedHealthcare employees planted “Learning Gardens” at 10 Title 1 grade schools in Tampa. Learning Gardens are produce gardens that help students learn how plant and nurture a garden, and sample new fruits and vegetables.

The Learning Gardens were planted at Buccaneers Academies’ Bevis, BT Washington, Egypt Lake, Lanier, Lithia Springs, Lockhart, Miles, Pizzo and Roosevelt elementary schools and Carver Exceptional Center. In case you missed it, ESPN captured Gerald McCoy’s visit with us to Lanier Elementary School.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Buccaneers to help Florida schoolchildren learn more about healthy foods, and improve their health and well-being,” said T. David Lewis, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Central North Florida.

The Learning Gardens project is part of the Buccaneers Academies initiative, an educational effort that offers more than 14,000 Tampa-area students incentive-based programs and monthly challenges that provide fun, engaging and motivating opportunities to learn. Throughout the school year, each Buccaneers Academy implements lesson plans that encourage good behavior, reading, writing and healthy lifestyles.

“It is extremely rewarding to team up with UnitedHealthcare, which – like the Buccaneers – is deeply committed to the students and schools of Central Florida,” said Glazer Family Foundation Co-President Darcie Glazer Kassewitz. “The ‘Learning Gardens’ program will provide each participating Buccaneers Academies school with a growing classroom that can be used to demonstrate healthy food choices and leave a lasting, positive impact on children.”

UnitedHealthcare has partnered with the Bucs on the Learning Gardens since 2014. Now that this year’s deliveries are complete, UnitedHealthcare Learning Gardens are at every one of the 24 Buccaneers Academy schools, totaling 110 total gardens.

Courtney Johnson is a social responsibility program manager at UnitedHealthcare.

 

Click here to see pictures from this project.

 

About the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play an active role in community development through a variety of youth health and education initiatives, family outreach, and military support involving players, coaches, cheerleaders, alumni, and staff. Through team donations, engaging outreach initiatives, NFL programs, and appearances, nearly 1,000 nonprofit organizations benefit from the team’s charitable endeavors throughout the year. To learn more about what the Buccaneers are doing in the community, visit www.buccaneers.com/community.