“If you are already teaching children how to grow a pea in a cup and having them
research parts of a plant on an iPad, why not bring them outside and have them grow it in the garden?” Chonnie said. “I pitched the idea and it caught on.”
Independence Gardens is named after its namesake homeschool — Independence Elementary, where the first outdoor
learning space was created. This gave
INDEPENDENCE GARDENS
A Passion Project
C
by Brooke Ezzo | photos courtesy of Chonnie Richey
astle Hills resident Chonnie Richey is a triple threat when it comes to educating our youth and combating the disconnect between children and their food. Pilipino by birth, fresh food is intrinsic in everything she does.
She has marketing experience with the American Heart Association, and her mother has over 25 years of care as a pediatric doctor. This combination has helped Chonnie launch a successful and fast-growing organization that helps educate and feed many children across the district. And soon enough, across state lines.
them picked at their food and threw most
As the story goes, Chonnie had lunch with her daughter, Sofia, years ago in the school cafeteria and noticed that her daughter and other children around
a light bulb went off. And just like that,
of it away. Curious, Chonnie inspected
the food and decided it was not as tasty, nutritious, and fresh as she hoped it would be.
After doing research and learning that 1 in 3 children in Texas are obese and that millions of people live in areas
over 800 children the opportunity to learn about food education.
“We incorporate organic practices and sustainability,” Chonnie said. “Wicking
beds, square foot gardening, composting, recycling, and companion planting.”
Chonnie wanted a 360-degree view of
connecting kids to their food. After the
kids planted, watched it grow, and then harvested, it was time to learn how to cook it.
Under the umbrella of Chef Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, Independence Gardens launched a one-day, once a year, districtwide, accredited curriculum-based
cooking program called Come and EAT It! “The kids loved it because they made it.
where healthy food is a limited option,
They had fun and got to play with food,”
Independence Gardens was born.
a math component, a social studies
“How do we expect our children to
on top of the food nutrition.”
succeed when most of them are not eating
Chonnie said. “The program includes
component, and a leadership component
food that should be fueling their day?”
Years after its inception, Independence
the time, I brought up the fact that we had
Lewisville ISD, created partnerships with
kids to food and help them make healthier
options to school cafeterias, and has plans
Chonnie questioned. “As PTA president at
Gardens has expanded throughout
a real opportunity here to really connect
food distributors to help bring healthier
food choices.”
to build bigger and better gardens all
Community gardens are not a new thing,
over the nation.
but she wanted to take it up a notch. She
“Cooking is a messy science project. Treat
outdoor learning space and school
“Not only is this a great way for children to
and nutrition as an extension of what they
food, but it’s a great way for parents to
wanted to create a robust, interactive
it as a learning opportunity,” Chonnie said.
garden where kids can learn leadership
have accountability and connect with their
were already doing in school.
connect with their kids.”
To learn more about the gardens visit, www.IndependenceGardens.org. 20 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | AUGUST 2020
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