The Poughkeepsie Farm Project has started a seven-week program to educate families about gardening.

The program, Poughkeepsie Food Power at Home, provides weekly video lessons, recipe kits and gardening - free of charge.

“People are stuck at home, kids aren’t in school. It seems like there's not going to be summer camp this year, so I think families really need some fun activities that they can do at home,” says education director of Poughkeepsie Farm Project Jamie Levato.

Each week, families receive a new kit with items to plant or recipes to try with step-by-step videos.

News 12 is told the organization is currently at maximum capacity with 100 families participating, as well as a waiting list.

"It makes me happy and brings me joy that my children want to participate in programs like this,” says Caresse Elting, a Poughkeepsie mother.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, gardening supports holistic learning which can improve children’s health and overall development, while also sprouting curious tastebuds.

Faith Ruiz, another Poughkeepsie mother, says her daughter was introduced to foods she normally wouldn’t have consumed.

"It has introduced her to foods that normally I wouldn't have in my house and foods that she normally would not eat. She started liking spinach salad, she started liking different types of herbs,” says Ruiz.

Due to the high popularity, the nonprofit program is working to secure funding for a second launch. 

Videos are also posted weekly for families to follow on their own.

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