Back in January, we posted a blog about the Chefs Move to Schools initiative, called Chef Helps Special Needs School Children Explore New Foods. The story highlighted the efforts of Morning Star School, Orlando, Fla., and created a windfall of support in the local community for the Morning Star Foodies. The Morning Star Foodies are the special needs students involved in the school’s Let’s Move! program.

The blog mentioned that Morning Star School has three hanging and four raised gardens where the children learn about planting and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables on their own. A highlight of the original post was a student discovering cumquats and how delicious they are.

“After the blog was posted to the Let’s Move! Website, we had many responses from our community. One gardening center (Lowes in Apopka, Fla.) was most excited about the part of the blog that mentioned student interest in cumquats and donated a cumquat bush to our garden,” said Kary Muller, a Morning Star School special needs teacher in charge of the Morning Star Foodies. “Our garden has grown so much thanks to support we have received because of the blog!”

Others in the community also contributed generously after seeing the blog. Apenberry’s Gardens, Orlando, Fla., donated a large amount of dirt, along with expert gardening advice. And a local contractor, Skip Kenney, built the school three new raised garden beds.

One Morning Star Foodie, Brandon Brown, age 15, was especially happy about the harvest he reaped because of the blog on the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Website, and the generosity of the community. Brandon was so excited that he took charge of the cumquat bush to ensure it was taken care of properly. When he took his first bite of the just-harvested cumquat from the donated bush his response was, “It’s delish!”

For a look at the Morning Star School garden check out this video slideshow produced by the school.

The Morning Star Foodies Website also connects parents, the school, and its community helpers to keep everyone informed about their adventures in healthy eating.

Great work Morning Star School!