Students at two Butler schools are gaining a new learning opportunity, and through their work, the community is receiving a new option for fresh food.

Broad Street Elementary School’s Fresh Market had a soft opening last month and, after a grand opening May 18, will be open to the community.

The in-school market launched by selling Nutrigrain Bars, popcorn, clementines, applesauce and other food items, and eventually will offer produce grown by students at Summit Township Elementary School.

Summit elementary started a Community Agricultural Partnership last school year, allowing educators to plant the seeds of agriculture in their young students.

Summit uses an outdoor classroom, garden space and a greenhouse to promote agricultural education. The school is using aquaponics and hydroponics in classrooms, and after Easter, will be teaching embryology for a unit on chickens – from eggs to hatch.

Chad Broman, principal at Summit elementary, said the agriculture activities can be tied into partnerships at other elementary schools in the district.

In addition to providing food to those in need in the community, a goal of both programs is to promote healthy eating.

Money generated through Broad Street Elementary School’s Fresh Market will go back to the district. The market and the demonstration classroom built at the school are meant for educational use, but their real-world uses will give students valuable experience.

These programs are a win-win for the students and the community: Students are learning how to operate a small business and produce healthy foods, and local residents are provided a place to shop for fresh vegetables and healthy snacks.

“Our dream is for our community to be able to come and shop for items, milk, healthy snacks, healthy drinks, and we would also like that space where we can host community meetings,” Vanessa Boyd, principal of Broad Street Elementary, told the Eagle last week.

“It's more than a market; it's a place where dreams will be made.”

– JGG