By: Tara Jacobsen, Treasure Coast Newspapers
STUART — On the chilly afternoon of Nov. 27, House of Hope and the City of Stuart proudly invited the community and several local notables to celebrate the official opening of the all-new East Stuart Community Garden.
The newly cleared and fenced area, at 520 SE Florida St., features a series of raised garden beds and trellises that will function as part of House of Hope's Gardening to Grow Healthy Children and Families program, focusing on increasing awareness of the health benefits of good nutrition and the basics of gardening.
The program strives to change unhealthy eating habits and encourage a more active lifestyle through healthy cooking classes, demonstrations and gardening activities.
Through hands-on instruction, members of the community will participate in the planning, planting, maintenance and harvesting of the garden.
While learning gardening basics, participants will also be educated about the health benefits of consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables, choosing healthy snacks, and the benefits of an active lifestyle…