HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - On Friday, Westminster High School (WHS) students took part in their 5th annual Harvest Day at the WHS Giving Farm.

Just over four years ago, WHS partnered with the OC Food Bank to create The Giving Farm, an eight-acre farm on Westminster High School’s campus that provides locally grown produce for vulnerable families. The Giving Farm also creates a space for WHS students, including the WHS FFA (Future Farmers of America) program, student clubs, and community volunteers to harvest produce that is donated to the OC Food Bank. This unique program offers students the opportunity to have a hands-on learning experience about the California agricultural industry, urban agriculture, and nutrition education. During an average year, the OC Food Bank has received approximately 175,000 pounds of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables from The Giving Farm.

During Friday’s Harvest Day, the entire high school collected 23,374 pounds (11.7 tons) of watermelons. Students lined up in the fields and made their way through the never ending rows of watermelons, where each student picked up a watermelon and then placed it in a container that would be donated to the OC Food Bank. Regardless of students’ everyday involvement with the farm, each student came out for Harvest Day, excited to play a small part in helping those in need at the OC Food Bank.

“The OC Food Bank values this partnership with Westminster High School that provides local produce for vulnerable Orange County families, while also providing us an opportunity to invest in the property, the program, and the students, some of whom may be inspired to become our next generation of agricultural producers,” shared OC Food Bank Director, Mark Lowry.

“The annual Harvest at Westminster High School is a valued tradition that brings our entire campus together to provide local produce to the OC Food Bank,” stated WHS Principal, Amy Sabol. “Our outstanding partners in Cap OC and Solutions for Urban Agriculture work collaboratively with our FFA program to ensure our crops are ready for donation every year. This event would not be possible without the enthusiasm and commitment of our students, staff, and volunteers to pull together to make a difference in our community.”

The Huntington Beach Union High School District is so proud of all the hard work and dedication the WHS students, staff, and volunteers have contributed to the partnership with the OC Food Bank for The Giving Farm. It is incredible to see the tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce that is donated to the OC Food Bank each year, and it is a wonderful opportunity for our students to be a part of.