Lunch is about to get healthier over at Mountain View Montessori.

The school's new hydroponic greenhouse will supply students with homegrown salad lunches once per week.

The Salad Bar Program is completely run by 7th and 8th grade students. Each week they'll harvest, clean, and distribute lettuce to classrooms.

Mountain View Montessori started their Salad Bar Program in 2008.

They recently expanded the program to provide more salads, so it was time for a larger greenhouse.

While students are learning how to make their own food, they're also learning important life skills.

"We feel very strongly that any work with nature or work with the hands is very important. They're eating the food that they're growing, and it tastes really good. They're happy with it, and they feel like they like the nutrients," says the Head of Mountain View Montessori Mary Levy.

Levy says having older students grow and provide food for their younger students, builds a sense of community and leadership.

"It's important for them to be stewards of the Salad Bar Program, because it creates empathy and compassion for all of the students. So they're giving their work and they're working for the benefit of the whole community," says Levy.

She says there are numerous health benefits as well.

"When the food goes in they're healthier, they think better, they're happy in the classroom. And it trickles out to the families, the communities. Where health is an important component for wellness a great lifestyle," says Levy.

Levy says they encourage other schools to start similar programs, and they're willing to help.

"We also host The Nevada Department of Agriculture School's Garden Conference each year. We are teaching other schools, we are helping. That's our goal is to be a model. Not because we know how to do this perfectly, but to come here and see how it's being done," says Levy.

 

Â