Growing Local Roots: How Natural Health Retailers Are Helping School & Youth Gardens Thrive
What do a school principal, a youth centre, and two passionate business owners have in common? A belief that real change starts in the garden.
Across Canada, school and youth garden programs supported by local natural health retailers are planting the seeds of lifelong wellness, food literacy, and community connection. These gardens are more than just green spaces—they’re outdoor classrooms, nutrition labs, and community hubs rolled into one.
And behind many of them are natural health retailers who have made long-term investments in their communities.
A School Garden with Staying Power: Jason’s Story
Carissa Gracey (previous teacher at Port Weller School, ON), Katie Wood, teacher, Port Weller School, ON and Jason Sebeslav, owner The Peanut Mill Natural Foods Market
For Jason Sebeslav, the natural health store owner of The Peanut Mill Natural Foods Market, supporting a local school garden just made sense—especially as his own kids were entering elementary school.
“The idea of kids getting their hands dirty while learning to grow and harvest their own food was incredibly inspiring,” says Jason. “It aligned perfectly with how we see our role in promoting wellness through our store.”
The partnership began with a progressive principal and a passionate teacher. Fast forward eight years, and Jason’s store still supports the garden annually—funding tools, maintenance, and even special harvest lunches hosted by the students themselves.
“The pride on those kids’ faces when they show off their garden and serve meals they made—it’s heartwarming. That’s the real return on investment.”
Jason’s experience shows how natural health retailers can become catalysts for hands-on learning, environmental education, and a stronger sense of community.
Youth Food Education in Action: Dena’s Community Garden Model
Aside from her busy schedule at city hall, Dena Comley is very much the face of The Granary Bulk & Natural Foods.
In another part of the country, business owner Dena Comley, The Granary Bulk & Natural Foods & Municipal Councillor, Carlton Place, ON brought her passion for connecting people to food into a completely different space—a local youth centre.
“We had just secured a new commercial kitchen to grow our Kidz in the Kitchen program,” she explains. “Adding gardening into the mix worked perfectly with our goal to teach youth about nutrition, food production, and cooking.”
With initial funding from the Plant a Seed Foundation, the youth centre built a thriving garden. Today, it continues to serve two purposes: providing ingredients for cooking programs and donating produce to the local food bank.“The startup money was key. With a few years of financial support, we were able to set up for continued success,” Dena says.
Kids at the Carlton Place Youth Centre work in their community garden.
This model shows how natural health retailers can play a pivotal role in youth engagement, community food access, and hands-on sustainable food education—all while staying true to their brand values.
Why Gardens Make Sense for Natural Health Retailers
Retailers like Jason and Dena aren’t just giving back—they’re reinforcing their core business values in powerful, tangible ways.
Garden programs support:
- Food literacy: Kids and youth learn where food comes from—and how it fuels their bodies.
- Sustainability education: Students see the connection between the environment and their health.
- Community wellness: Gardens nurture relationships across generations, creating shared value.
“Our customers see that we’re involved in the community,” says Jason. “That strengthens their connection to our store—and to the values we stand for.”
Deanna Henry, a former retailer now managing programs at the Gordon Neighbourhood House, sees it from both sides:
“This is where our customers live, work, and raise families. Partnering with a garden project isn’t just generous—it’s smart community leadership.”
Deanna Henry at the Gordon Neighbourhood House poses at the very site of the community garden that she helped fund with the Plant a Seed Foundation.
Long-Term Commitment, Local Impact
Both business owners agree: these programs require ongoing support—especially when school and community budgets are stretched thin.
Jason is planning to reallocate marketing funds this year to help upgrade the garden infrastructure. Dena says she’s more than willing to fund another project if approached again.
“With increased knowledge and participation,” Dena says, “a garden like this can supply a significant amount of food to people who need it.”
These are not one-off donations. They’re long-term relationships rooted in mutual care and shared values—between retailers, community organizations, and the Plant a Seed Foundation.
Get Involved: Partner with the Plant a Seed Foundation
Are you a natural health retailer or community-minded business owner looking to make a lasting impact?
The Plant a Seed Foundation helps make it easy to start or support a local school or youth garden. Whether it’s seed funding, community outreach, or hands-on participation, every contribution helps grow a healthier, more resilient generation.
“This program not only gets local initiatives off the ground,” says Dena, “it ensures they can thrive long after the first season.”
Let’s grow something meaningful together.
Ready to get started? Contact us at info@seewhatgrows.org
