Children enjoying summer meals at Trent Elementary School in the East Valley School District recently had a chance to enjoy produce grown in their own school district.

The first harvest of the East Valley Farm to School project included lettuce, bok choy, endive, broccoli and cherry tomatoes.

The garden, located on district property at Sullivan Road and Wellesley Avenue, has come a long way since spring. Parent volunteer Lynette Romney launched the garden project after a conversation about the pre-packaged foods students were getting during lunch.

Students in the high school horticulture and botany classes can work in the garden and members of the community have claimed rows in the field and raised beds.

Cory Roberts, who will be a junior this fall, comes to the farm as often as he can this summer.

“It’s different from what the school was teaching us,” he said about working in the garden. “I like working with plants and it’s something to do.”

Romney said the farm relies heavily on donations and volunteers.

“We’ve done this on a very tight budget,” Romney said.

Youth groups have helped weed, which Romney said is a never-ending job since they aren’t using chemical herbicides. The Spokane Valley Kiwanis has formed a committee of six or seven volunteers to irrigate.

The two-inch pipes that carry water to the plants need to be turned on two times a week for four hours a day.

Kiwanian Darryl Isotalo, a retired educator, said the group became involved after Romney spoke to them at one of their meetings.

They decided to help irrigate the fields and several members volunteered.

“We pledged to continue watering through August,” he said.

Another two members of the Kiwanis were at the farm Wednesday. Gordon Spunich and Max Kingsley came out to disconnect certain sections of pipe and reconnect others before turning on the water. Once the water is turned on, they check for leaks and make sure the sprinklers are working properly.

“Really, it does take two people,” Spunich said.

Over in the raised-bed section of the farm, community members have claimed their space, growing flowers and produce and adding their own touches, such as scarecrows and benches.

“I think this is just the greatest thing,” said Carolyn Sanchez.

Sanchez said she found out about the garden from a flier about it on her front door. She used to keep a garden, but her backyard has rocky soil and there is too much shade.

Now, she rides her bike over about three times a day to water her plants on hot days. She is growing carrots, lettuce, beets, broccoli, peppers and onions, and is planning beans, peas and kale for the fall.

“I’m just amazed at this,” she said.

Romney said she is still looking for volunteers and donations. She is planning a community weeding party at the beginning of August and is still approaching local groups to get them involved.