What are Heritage Varieties of Vegetables and Berries, and Why Grow Them?

Heritage varieties of vegetables and fruit have been grown by human over many generations. They are very rare now since modern agriculture has selected only a handful of food crops to grow. According to Seeds of Diversity, 75% of the 100,000 vegetables and fruit varieties in North America today are endangered. By planting heritage varieties, school communities can help maintain food plant diversity and learn about the tastes, colours, shapes and cultural uses of plants, while providing nutritious food for students.

Spring Crops
Berries
Corn, Beans and Squash
The “Three Sisters”