Lipman Donating $10,000 To Help Fund School Gardens

IMMOKALEE, Fla. – Lipman, North America’s largest open-field tomato grower, is donating $10,000 to help fund public school gardens in Collier County. In partnership with Naples Botanical Gardens’ Collier Greens program, 20 schools will receive $500 grants for the 2016-17 school year.

“At Lipman, we’re proud to support a number of initiatives that educate children about the importance of things like healthy eating, farming and gardening,” said Jaime Weisinger, Lipman’s community relations director. “When schools plant their own gardens, kids gain a valuable understanding of where their food comes from.”

Collier Greens, was founded four years ago, offers free workshops to educators, encourages best practices and recognizes outstanding garden practices. Schools affiliated with the program receive certification and have access to a variety of expert resources.

“We operate on a ‘teach the teacher’ model,” said Britt Patterson-Weber, youth programs manager at Naples Botanical Garden. “We empower teachers to go back to their schools and run their programs.”

According to Patterson-Weber, teachers often have to fund their gardens out of pocket. Lipman’s donation, she added, will relieve some of the stress that comes with getting these projects up and running.

“I’m excited about this grant, and I think the teachers are too,” Patterson-Weber said. “This is a really great opportunity for our local schools.”

About Lipman Based in Immokalee, Fla., Lipman is the largest open field tomato grower in North America, providing dependable year-round fresh produce through an integrated network of research & development, farming, processing, and repacking. Farms in Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, California and Mexico – totaling tens of thousands of acres – allow Lipman to grow and ship fresh produce 365 days a year. For more information, visit www.LipmanProduce.com.

About Naples Botanical Garden Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre, world-class garden paradise that features the plants and cultures of the tropics and subtropics between the latitudes of 26 degrees North and 26 degrees South, including Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Florida. A hands-on, interactive Children’s Garden along with 90 acres of beautifully restored natural habitats, walking trails and a Butterfly Garden offer educational entertainment and enjoyment for people of all ages. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, with an early opening on Tuesdays at 8 a.m. Regular admission is $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for children (4-14); members and children 3 and under get in free. For more information, visit www.NaplesGarden.org.

Source: Lipman