Banfield Elementary School students weren’t that picky Wednesday when it came to their new community garden.

Many second-, third- and fourth-graders picked as many eggplant, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables as they could.

“It’s nice,” said Mekhi Osman, fourth grader. “(We were) looking for vegetables.”

A Banfield Parent Teacher Committee initiative, the school garden was planted earlier this summer as an opportunity for students to interact with fresh produce. There are six plots right now, where the above fruits and veggies along with potatoes grow. Banfield Principal Jeff Roland said the garden was a great opportunity for students in science and health classes. In addition, students are already trying some of the produce from the garden, including a little bit of eggplant.

“This is cool,” he said. “This is great for the kids. It dovetails so well into the science curriculum.”

The first crops that came in were mostly donated to the Salvation Army over the summer, according to Banfield PTC President Julie Klinefelter. Yet students and staff are benefiting from the healthy snacks through a salsa that was made for teachers earlier in the year and some possible eggplant dip as part of student lunch in the near future.

“I was surprised at how many kids tried (eggplant) and liked it,” she said.

What’s more students will soon be growing the seeds for next year’s garden over the winter time and several teachers are requesting their own plot to use. In the near future, parents and staff hope to put some protective coverage, possibly even a dome, over the garden to save it from wintery weather.