Indoor garden update from LunchLAB in Vancouver
Operated by Vancouver nonprofit organizations Fresh Roots and Growing Chefs, LunchLAB is an innovative school meal program that serves students accessible, nourishing, culturally relevant lunches prepared by students with the mentorship of a team of chefs-in-residence. LunchLAB empowers youth to cook food for themselves and their peers providing opportunities for kids to find delight, dignity, and belonging in their interactions with food.
Currently, LunchLAB operates at five Vancouver-based schools. Below is an excerpt from their April 2025 newsletter.
After a year at Total Education, our indoor garden from Les Verts Living moved to χpey̓ Elementary!
Since its arrival in February, the student chefs have been busy learning about hydroponic gardening and have grown crunchy lettuce, microgreens, and herbs like basil, dill, and parsley. Incorporating their harvests into LunchLAB salads, herby garlic bread, and yoghurt herb dips, these fresh menu items have been a great conversation starter in the lunch hall amongst students and staff.
Student chefs have been showing great care for the garden, planting new seeds and learning how to harvest leaves so that the lettuce keeps providing. They are consistently amazed at how fast it all grows back!
In the next few weeks student chefs are excited to watch colourful edible flowers bloom and grow native plants with the school community.
To learn more about the LunchLAB program, visit their website here.
Students participating in LunchLAB are growing fresh produce in their Les Verts Terrace Pro 3-Tier Indoor Garden. Visit our school page to learn more about how to start an indoor hydroponic garden in your school or classroom.
