The State Department of Agriculture awarded Maine Memorial Elementary a grant for more than $26,000 for its community garden. 

The garden is a new addition as of last school year. Their first harvest proved to be a success. 

 "We were able to use it for the summer and in our lunch line and be able to have a few tables out for our communities," said Dana Calandra, Coordinator for student programs in the district. 

The students grew potatoes, tomatoes and lettuce, among other produce. 

Their success didn't just come from the bounty, but the students' enthusiasm. 

"To have that experience of watching it grow, you helped plant it, you helped take care of it, you helped pick it, you brought it, you cleaned it. We're able to serve that. The kids are super proud of that. You know, there's so many kids who are like, I don't like tomatoes, but I grew that, so I want to try it."

With the $26,000, the school hopes to expand what they can do with the garden in the community. 

"The food inequities are huge in different areas, so really giving them some resources to say, Hey, I know how to grow tomatoes, I know how to grow lettuce, I can make a salad, I can do those things which seem simple, but it gives them a different aspect of, you know, appreciation for it."

Maine-Endwell was the only district in the Southern Tier to receive money from the Department of Agriculture under this award.