This summer, Tokyo International School (TIS) donated 3.5kg of organic vegetables to Second Harvest Japan for use in the charity’s soup kitchens.
The donated food was a portion of what students and staff had grown in the school’s very own rooftop garden this year, and was part of the “Grow for Good” program. Urban farming consultant Jonathon Walsh set up Grow for Good to encourage companies and schools to become more self-sufficient by growing food onsite for themselves and also donating a portion of the produce to charities. This is his second year working with TIS, where, alongside students and staff, he replanted the rooftop garden and created edible gardens throughout the school. He teaches weekly classes on growing near-organic food sustainably in urban environments, with a view to giving back to the community.
Walsh is currently working with TIS to establish gardens in their new location as well as setting up a rooftop garden in Ginza. He is now focusing on building and expanding the use of vertical gardens at various locations around Tokyo.
To find out more about how Walsh can create an edible garden in your work or school environment, contact him on [email protected].
