Planting the Seeds of Healthy Foods at Drew Charter School

EAST LAKE — Jakari Vickerson, a seventh grader at Drew Charter School, loves toiling around in his backyard garden, alongside his grandfather.

Jakari, who has been tending his garden for the last two years, said he enjoys the quality time they share together and gets a kick out of eating food he's grown.

Burpee Home Gardens, the plant and seeds company, is looking to foster a love of gardening that will help create that same joy with scores of kids across the country.

The company, which is on a national cross-country tour to promote its "Grow Anywhere Tour" campaign, came to Drew on Friday to deliver 1,500 pounds of fresh, seasonal produce and 450 vegetable plants and seedlings to the children.

Drew was among the schools selected to receive the food and plants following a nationwide voting contest. Drew, received more than 65,000 votes.

The campaign, which will deliver 30,000 pounds of produce and 13,000 plants to schools in 23 cities, is centered around helping children understand the importance of gardening and fresh produce.