Blue Watermelon Project Inc

Blue Watermelon Project (BWP), established in 2016, was formed to increase access to fresh foods to students in schools. We see a future where all students are poised for academic and social success because they have been given equitable access to nourishing food, the knowledge of where it comes from and the freedom to explore diversity on their plate.

In partnership with schools, chefs, volunteers and parents, we bring hands-on culinary and garden experiences to students to develop a healthy relationship to food that will last a lifetime.  We celebrate and collaborate with school food professionals to assist in bringing  student-centered, locally sourced, culturally relevant and scratch-prepared meals to the lunchroom for #abettertrayeveryday. 

Our Chef in the Garden Program is currently administered in 35 schools across the state, with the growth goal of reaching 50 schools in 2025-2026. Your donation directly assists in reaching this goal of impacting 1,500+ students! 

Chef in the Garden (CITG) program is simple: professional chefs design recipes inspired by an ingredient that can be grown in school gardens. The culinary and garden activities that are tied to the recipe reinforce curriculum concepts taught in the classroom. Each CITG experience, or kit, includes the ingredients and materials needed to complete the culinary and garden lesson. Kits come with resources like an instructional video, teacher's guide, parent letter, planting instructions and school garden tips. Students have the opportunity to make delicious dishes with ingredients such as broccoli, eggplant, sweet potatoes, rainbow chard and more! 

This Arizona Gives Day, we are asking for your help in raising funds that will support classrooms participating in our Chef in the Garden program. Donations can help us purchase items such as packets of seeds for local school gardens, a burner to allow teachers to complete recipes in their classrooms, or even fun a teacher's stipend for one year! 

We sincerely thank you for your support of our mission. If you or someone you know is interested in bringing  this program to your campus, apply today! https://www.bluewatermelonproject.org/chef-in-the-garden-application.