Ashlawn students enjoy the lettuce of their labors

About 125 Arlington County residents who live near Ashlawn Elementary School grew varieties of lettuce this spring to help the school teach a lesson in nutrition.

Families, volunteers at the Sunrise Assisted Living facility and neighbors grew lettuce in planters, in their yards or wherever they had room.

"An enormous amount of lettuce was grown in the community," said Joan Horwitt, who chaired the Lawns 2 Lettuce 4 Lunch program. "We could have fed two or three Ashlawns."

More than 1,000 lettuce plants were harvested June 6 and brought to the school, which added locally grown radishes, sprouts and a host of other healthy ingredients to create enough salad to feed 400 staff members and students.

Christie Vilsack, wife of U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and School Superintendent Patrick K. Murphy participated in the meal at the school.

-- Christy Goodman