City of Chicago officials joined United States Senator Dick Durbin, Chicago Public Schools and Mars Food to announce a $500,000 donation to the Children First Fund: The Chicago Public Schools Foundation (CFF) from the company’s Seeds of Change™ organic food brand. The grant will support the Eat What You Grow (EWYG) program at 130 CPS schools across Chicago, including the cultivation of learning gardens, farm-to-table education and professional development, farmers markets at two schools and 30 summer gardening jobs for high school students. “Today’s announcement is great news for Chicago Public Schools’ students and a good example of a company giving back here in Chicago,” United States Senator Dick Durbin said. “The Eat What You Grow program will help 130 Chicago schools cultivate gardens for students to learn the value of healthy eating. This is the kind of project-based learning that will improve children’s health and give our students lessons that will last a lifetime.” EWYG is a part of the CPS Farm to School program, which encourages students to participate in every step of the food system from growing and harvesting in their school gardens, to integrating the produce into meals. “School gardens serve as a gathering place for communities while providing students with valuable skills and education on nutrition,” said CPS CEO Dr. Janice K. Jackson. For more information about Seeds of Change, visit seedsofchange.com.