Hornedo Middle School in El Paso, Texas currently does not have a fruit and vegetable garden for students. This is a missed opportunity for education and wellness as school gardens yield numerous benefits. Gardening activities can enhance students' understanding of where their food comes from, promote healthier food choices, and even improve academic performance through hands-on learning opportunities. According to the American Heart Association, children who plant, harvest, and prepare fruits and vegetables are more willing to taste and eat them. Additionally, data from the National Garden Association shows that school gardens positively impact students' grades, attitudes about the environment, and relationships with peers. Thus, implementing a fruit and vegetable garden at Hornedo Middle School would not only feed students' bodies but also their minds. My bill will solve these problems. According to Texas Health and Human Services, fruits and vegetables are considered TCS food because they will support the growth of foodborne pathogens.  According to SchoolNutritionAssociation.org 75% of vegetable selections and 40% of fruit selections are discarded by students. If students put work into it they will appreciate it more. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the prices of fruits and vegetables have risen 4.1% from June 2023 to July 2024. Making their gardens in schools might cost money at the start, but it will only benefit them in the long run. During this time they can use the fruits and vegetables that are already frozen while the plants grow. In seventh grade, we all learned about plants and their functions. Students can work in the garden for hands-on experience. They can see how plants function and learn from real-world situations, not just from textbooks. Students won't be the only ones working at it, we will make it a club and even offer it as an extra credit opportunity for all students. Please sign our petition to encourage the school to make this necessary change.