Open garden provides teaching opportunity to kids

Owners of Mangawhai Heads shops at 7 Wood Street, James and Melanie Collie aka ‘JMC Management’, have been putting in a lot of improvements to create a community vibe and update the hub for the businesses in the area.

On March 18, one of the company’s favourite ideas ladies, Toni from Nurture Cleaning, and the children from Miniwhais, took part in a mini project, updating the gardens with fresh produce for the community.

In time, when the vegetables grow, the children will see their hard work paying off and anyone is welcome to take the fresh produce once it is bundled up for a gold coin donation.

“Our community garden is for everyone, it's about teaching kids and showing them the importance of fresh and healthy food, and giving them the opportunity to help create this community space,” says Toni. “They will be able to watch these plants grow knowing that they aided in this journey.”

Nothing quite beats fresh produce from a garden, says Toni, watching it grow and that satisfying feeling knowing you helped grow the food that ends up on your plate.

“Gardening teaches us to slow down, to appreciate where our food comes from and trust in its process. It teaches us about patience and being kind to the earth, and that a little love, or in this case sunshine and water, will go a long way in helping something grow, and be proud to provide their own family with food from a garden of their own.”

Kids learn the importance of growing fresh, healthy food. PHOTO/SUPPLIED