OKT has finished the second phase of its Program for Growth: A Guide for Replication, which was presented to the State of Michigan in response to State grant support being provided to the Program. The first phase, Growing Community, Justice, and Food, was developed in 2018 in partnership with The City of Grand Rapids.

This section includes information on soil, seeds, planting, growing and harvesting; food gardening and lead poisoning prevention; herbs; food justice and access; and healthy recipes made with garden fresh ingredients.

This year, we added Growing Healthy Eating Habits, which was developed with input from dietitian Tracy Booth, RDA, who has been hosting group and individual sessions with Program for Growth participants. The section gives advice on eating to prevent lead poisoning, vitamins and minerals, probiotics, healthy fats, salt substitutes, fruits and vegetables, proteins, how to read food labels, and food safety.

We are working on a third phase which will address air and soil quality in Grand Rapids. You can view and download Program for Growth – A Guide for Replication for free at the OKT website.