Arizona and New Mexico Elementary Schools Invited to Apply for Raley’s Captain Planet Learning Gardens
October 23, 2026 | 3 min to read
The Raley’s Companies, including Bashas’ and Food City, and Captain Planet Foundation have opened the 2026 Learning Garden Grant Contest. The contest will select three eligible schools in Arizona and New Mexico to receive a Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden package that brings hands-on STEAM education, nutrition lessons, and garden-based learning to their campuses.
Three elementary schools will receive garden-based learning packages valued at up to $7,500; applications are open through October 30.
Bashas’ and Food City support the Learning Gardens as part of their ongoing commitment to nourishing the communities they serve, supporting their neighbors and advancing food system education.
By giving children hands-on opportunities to grow and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables, the program helps students better understand where their food comes from while developing lifelong healthy habits.
WHO MAY APPLY: Nominated schools must be state-accredited elementary schools serving grades K–5, excluding homeschool and online programs, and located within 10 miles of an eligible Bashas’, Bashas’ Diné Market or Food City location in Arizona or New Mexico.
Eligible entrants must be at least 18 years old and either an authorized school official or someone associated with the nominated school (such as a teacher or parent) who can obtain an authorized school official’s signature.
HOW TO APPLY: Visit captainplanetfoundation.org and follow the instructions to complete the online application.
PRIZE: New Learning Garden Package – Valued at $7,500
Schools without an existing garden will receive: Five raised garden beds with soil, A fully equipped Mobile Cooking Cart for preparing garden-fresh recipes, Standards-based online garden lessons and project materials, Professional development and training for teachers and Strategies for summer garden maintenance.
Schools with an existing onsite garden are eligible for a garden-improvement package valued at $5,500, including $4,500 in garden improvements, program materials, a Mobile Cooking Cart, professional development and training for teachers, and strategies for summer garden maintenance.
Research and more than 25 years of classroom experience show that early exposure to fresh produce increases children’s willingness to try and regularly eat those foods. Daily, hands-on access to gardening helps shape behaviors far beyond the school lunch line, empowering students to make informed choices that support a lifetime of healthy meals.
About Bashas’ Family of Stores
Bashas’ is a grocer that operates in Arizona, New Mexico and four Tribal Nations under five well-known brands including Bashas’, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Eddie’s Country Store, and Bashas’ Diné supermarkets. Founded in 1932, Bashas’ has a rich history of serving Arizona families with quality products and great customer service. With more than 110 grocery stores, Bashas’ is one of the largest employers in the state and one of the Best Places to Work in Arizona. Bashas’ has given back more than $100 million to the communities it serves. For more information, visit bashas.com. Bashas’ is a division of The Raley’s Companies.
About Captain Planet Foundation (CPF)
Captain Planet Foundation is a grant-making foundation that has supported more than 4,000 hands-on environmental education projects serving children across all 50 U.S. states and in 100 countries. More than 2 million children have participated in its educational programs, including Project Learning Garden, Green Heart STEM Challenge, and Planeteer Alliance.