By Ananya Kumar, Communications Intern
At Edible Schoolyard New Orleans (ESYNOLA), a signature program of FirstLine Schools, farm to school programming goes beyond growing food—it connects students to the rich agricultural and culinary heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana. One of the most cherished traditions at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans is Watermelon Day, a celebration that has been going strong for nearly 20 years.
The Origins of Watermelon Day
When ESYNOLA was founded in 2006, one main goal was to create meaningful “edible” experiences for students, experiences that would connect them with local farmers, chefs, and gardeners. This led to the birth of Meet the Farmer events, where students could meet the people responsible for growing the food they were tasting. Watermelon Day, along with Citrus Day and Strawberry Day, was part of the original lineup of these seasonal events.
From the beginning, Ben Burkett, a fifth-generation farmer and organizer of the Indian Springs Farmers Association, has been growing and delivering watermelons for Watermelon Day. Ben’s cooperative is one of the oldest Black-founded farming cooperatives in the U.S., and he, along with his daughter Darnella, has been a beloved guest at Edible Schoolyard’s FirstLine schools for 16 years. Every year, they grow between 50-100 watermelons specifically for this event.
A Day Full of Joy, Learning, and Tradition
Watermelon Day was held on September 20th this year, filled with arts and crafts, tastings, games, and other exciting festivities. At ESYNOLA’s flagship school, Samuel J. Green, the farmers delivered watermelons directly to the students, who eagerly awaited the chance to meet the people growing their favorite summer treat.
Each year, students learn about the origins of watermelons and the life and work of Farmer Ben. As part of the day’s activities, students make watermelon crowns, read stories about the history of watermelons, and participate in Q&A sessions with the farmers. One of the most touching moments in recent years was when a student, after meeting Farmer Ben, remarked, “Farmer Ben looks like my ancestors,” underscoring the deep cultural connections this event fosters.
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Watermelon Day traditions also include making watermelon-based treats like Agua Fresca and smoothies, and engaging in the ever-popular watermelon seed spitting contest, where students (and sometimes staff) see who can spit their seeds the farthest. These activities bring joy, laughter, and a sense of community to everyone involved.
Meet the Farmer: Building Connections
The goal of Watermelon Day and other Meet the Farmer events is to build meaningful connections between students and the local food system. For ESYNOLA, it’s important that students see the faces behind their food. Farmer Ben’s visits go beyond the fun of tasting watermelon—they give students a chance to ask thoughtful questions about farming, food production, and the challenges of working with the land. Students often ask Ben how much farmers earn, what other crops they grow, and what inspired him to pursue farming. This dialogue helps students build a deeper understanding of the food they eat and the people who grow it.
ESYNOLA’s founders wanted these events to help students appreciate local produce, and that’s exactly what has happened. In fact, Watermelon Day has become so ingrained in the FirstLine Schools’ culture that students look forward to it year after year, building lasting memories tied to this sweet summer fruit. As part of the larger farm to school curriculum, Watermelon Day also reinforces the hands-on gardening and cooking lessons that are a daily part of the students’ education.
Expanding the Tradition: Other Seasonal Events
Watermelon Day isn’t the only event that connects students with local farmers. ESYNOLA also hosts other seasonal events like Citrus Day and Strawberry Day, all of which highlight the importance of local agriculture and allow students to engage with fresh, seasonal produce.
Another standout event at ESYNOLA is the annual Sweet Potato Fest, held in October. This event, primarily hosted at Arthur Ashe School, celebrates the harvest of hundreds of pounds of sweet potatoes from school gardens. The festival includes a community parade featuring the school’s marching band and majorette team, cooking competitions with students, families, and local professionals, and traditional festival activities like potato sack racing and face painting. With over 300 attendees, it’s a major event that brings the community together to celebrate local food.
The sweet potato harvest is impressive—Arthur Ashe alone produces 300 pounds each year, while the other schools harvest about 100 pounds each. The festival also features gumbo made by our food service provider, Chartwells, and sweet potato stew, along with games, a bike blender, and dance performances.
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of Watermelon Day
Watermelon Day at ESY NOLA is a day filled with joy, learning, and cultural connection. Events like Watermelon Day create lasting impressions on students, helping them understand the importance of local agriculture and the people behind the food they eat. With nearly 20 years of tradition behind it, Watermelon Day will continue to be a celebration of local food, culture, and connection for years to come.
Special thank you to Charlotte Steele, Director of ESYNOLA for speaking with us about the wonderful work her and her team do to make farm to school programming so meaningful and engaging!