ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Galapagos Rockford Charter School has been awarded a $500 Youth Garden Grant by Home Depot and the National Gardening Association.

Galapagos Rockford Charter School was one 95 national winners out of a national applicant pool of 1,700 schools and non-profit organizations. Galapagos won the award by demonstrating the importance of health, nutrition, and the environment while demonstrating the important role that gardens play in the lives of students, teachers and the community.

The grant was written by two of Galapagos’ science instructors, Christa Haverly and Jamie Prunty. The grant will be used to increase the size of Galapagos’ existing edible garden. In 2012, Galapagos with the help of parents, instructors and scholars, started its first edible garden. The ultimate goal is to have the garden provide fresh food samples to all scholars while supplementing the school’s nutritious lunch program and its participation in the state’s Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program.