Celebrating 20 Years of Growing Together at Springer Middle School

Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids proudly celebrating a major milestone this year, 20 years of partnership with Springer Middle School, the very first school to join our garden education program. What began two decades ago as a single school garden has grown into a statewide movement that has reached tens of thousands of Delaware students.

To honor this anniversary, volunteers, partners, and longtime HFHK friends gathered for a joyful garden rebuild at Springer on August 4th. With perfect weather and incredible community spirit, volunteers assembled new metal garden beds, filled them with soil, and helped prepare materials for the upcoming growing season. The rebuild was generously supported by the Laffey McHugh Foundation.

The day also included special visits from Senator Darius Brown and Senator Ray Seigfried, along with a $15,000 contribution from the Delaware Division of Small Business through the Delaware Grocery Initiative—an investment that will help HFHK continue expanding hands‑on garden learning across the First State.

We were honored to welcome HFHK’s founder, Dr. Thianda Manzara, former garden coordinators, Springer alumni, and partners from across Delaware’s education, nonprofit, and business communities. Their presence underscored the deep roots and shared commitment that have sustained this partnership for 20 years.

As we look ahead, Springer’s refreshed garden stands as a symbol of what is possible when schools, families, volunteers, and supporters come together to help students grow, taste, and learn from the vegetables they plant.

Here is to the next 20 years of Veggie‑cating the First State—starting right where it all began.