Birds Nest Foundation's 'Ground Up Campaign' Donates Edible, Academic Gardens to Fifty-One Award-Winning Elementary Schools Throughout New York City

Online, June 16, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Birds Nest Foundation, in partnership with the United States of Food, recently launched the 'Ground Up Campaign', to promote a true food revolution by educating Americans about food, land and innovative products for growing food and by publishing novel food information to stimulate discussions in the family and community. Critical parts of the campaign are the growing beds that simplify and beautify the real food growing process.

Last week the NYC Strategic Alliance for Health (SAfH) announced it would honor fifty-one elementary schools as recipients of the 2011 Excellence in Schools Wellness Award. Three award ceremonies for each borough's recipients will take place over the next week. A complete list of the 2011 Excellence in School Wellness Award recipients can be found here.

Birds Nest Foundation will donate edible, academic gardens to each award-winning school. "We are very excited to partner with the NYC Strategic Alliance for Health to provide an opportunity for elementary school students to learn about and participate in the process of growing food naturally to teach and learn healthy eating habits in and outside of the home," says Avis Richards, Founder and CEO of Birds Nest Foundation.

"This generous contribution to 51 public schools will go along way in making our classrooms healthy, risk-free environments for the next generation of New Yorkers," said Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer.

"Brooklyn is proud to host the Excellence in School Wellness Awards and celebrate the 14 very deserving honorees from our borough. These elementary schools are 'schooling' us all on how to incorporate healthy environments in our classrooms," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

Upcoming award ceremony dates, times and locations:

Brooklyn Ceremony
Friday June 17th
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street,
Brooklyn NY 11201

Northern Manhattan Ceremony
Tuesday June 21st
2:00pm - 4:00pm
The NY Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue,
New York NY 10029

Bronx Ceremony
Wednesday June 22nd
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Bronx Museum of Arts
1040 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10456