Volunteers and Staff at the DuPage Events Center & Fairgrounds.

A Growing Success – 2025 Grow Your Own Food Program

The Grow Your Own Food program was a huge success! Beginning with school registration and preparation in September and culminating in the delivery of starter plants and kits to 4,530 students across DuPage County this May, the 2025 program truly blossomed.

The goal of this program is to allow children to learn firsthand how food is grown, and in turn gain an appreciation and understanding for where their food comes from. During the program students learned about gardening, plant care, and transplanting through an educational video and hands-on tomato transplanting activity. After the activities were completed, each student took home their transplanted tomato plant to care for over the summer.

This year, the Grow Your Own Food program expanded to 71 schools across DuPage County — 11 more than last year! A total of 4,530 students in 187 classrooms received classroom kits, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our incredible volunteers. This growth and success would not have been possible without their support.

During the week of May 5th, the DCFB coordinated the distribution of supplies at the DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds, who generously gave their space for this endeavor.  Our wonderful volunteers arrived at the fairgrounds to pick up the supplies and delivered them to schools throughout the surrounding communities, ensuring that every participating classroom received the materials they needed. Thank you to all who donated their time and energy to this effort. This program would not have been possible without you!

Ball Horticulture Company Volunteers at the DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all donors and partners! This program was made possible through the generous contributions of Ball Horticulture Company, DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds, College of DuPage, DuPage Foundation, Midwest Trading, Ace Hardware, Country Financial, 4-Imprint, and our dedicated members. Because of your support, this program was able to come to life and educate, engage, and inspire the students of DuPage County.

Students from Washington Elementary are participating in the transplanting activity.

The 4th graders had a great time learning about plant growth and engaging in the hands-on transplanting activity. Each student also received an entry pass to the 2025 DuPage County Fair, where we’ll celebrate their hard work and creativity. Join us for the judging event on Saturday, July 26th, at the fairgrounds where students can showcase their thriving tomato plants. The DuPage County Fair Association will be providing prizes for the top four students!

Thank you so much to everyone who was involved and made this program possible. The 2025 Grow Your Own Food program planted more than just tomatoes; it planted excitement, curiosity, and an interest in agriculture! We cannot wait to see the students’ tomato plants at the DuPage County Fair!