5. Food Service Staff, size, budgeting, operations, rate of participation Suppliers Local farmers, food processors, distributors Project Coordination Funding Community Support Parents, volunteers Schools Administration, teachers, students, school board Climate Seasonal and Political
19. Cranberries Tasty, Sweet Harvest from bog They are very tart Fruit Drake Coleman 3rd Grade Bluffview January 09 – Cranberries & Wetland Eco- Systems
34. Tony Evers, State Superintendent, has chosen our Food -4-Thought program to receive the “Standing up for Rural Wisconsin” award to be given Feb. 22 in Madison
Editor's Notes
Introduction: Self, history of my involvement (where I’m coming from….farmer, parent, advocate). WHL – Farm to School Initiative based in Madison, WI. Joint project of REAP Food Group and CIAS. Focus was Madison Metropolitan School District 2002-2006, 2007+ beginning to branch out to other school districts.
Farm to School Nationwide Existing programs in 400 school districts in 23 states What is Farm to School? Accomplish goal #1 by introducing students to the process of growing food: a) Food Education Activities: farm trips, meet-the-farmer days, classroom activities, gardening, composting food waste b) Eating opportunities in cafeteria and classrooms Accomplish #2 by: a) Schools purchase produce and other foods from local growers/businesses b) Serve fresh (i.e. salad bar, snacks) or integrate into menu items (i.e. muffins, tortilla wraps, rice pilaf, chili, soups) Farm to School takes many different forms in the more than 400 school districts nationwide who have projects **Michigan – some school districts purchasing as a group from apple growers on opposite side of state in order to get a large enough delivery arranged
There are some alarming trends that are harming our children’s health and their ability to learn and do well in school. For example: Diets are falling short of the mark— 1. Only 2 percent of children actually meet the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid 2 Less than 15 percent of school children eat the recommended servings of fruit 3. Teenagers today drink twice as much carbonated soda as milk Childhood obesity is recognized as a national epidemic. The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than doubled since 1970. The 2003-04 National Survey of Children’s Health reports that 13.5% of Wisconsin children ages 10 – 17 are overweight, resulting in a state rank of 28 th in nation. The 2005 Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey states that 24% of all (high school) students are at risk for becoming overweight or are overweight according to their Body Mass Index. Too many children are physically inactive: nearly half of young people ages 12-21 do not engage in physical activity on a regular basis As many as 30,000 children have Type 2 diabetes, a type of diabetes that was once almost entirely limited to adults and hence used to be named ‘adult onset diabetes.’
Each dollar spent locally creates an economic benefit of $3-5 as it gets recirculated in the local economy. Locally purchased foods are often fresher than their counterparts traveling longer distances. This can result in better flavor and more choices in varieties as well. Food traveling 10-100 miles vs. 1,500-2,500 miles to get to our plates reduces the carbon footprint substantially. Choosing to purchase from growers using sustainable growing practices (such as organic producers or those utilizing Integrated Pest Management practices, crop rotations, etc..) can minimize risks for chemical contamination of food, soil, and waterways. Schools (and other institutions such as hospitals, colleges, nursing homes, etc..) can become a reliable market for producers given their consistent needs for product.
Dealing with school food is a complex issue. The more pieces of the pie you have engaged the better.
School fundraisers are a great way to integrate farm-to-school programming. See a full listing of fundraiser items and order form at our website: www.reapfoodgroup.org/farmtoschool, click ‘school fundraiser.’ Over $18,500 in total sales among 8 participating Madison schools in ‘06. 12 schools participating in 2007.
Educational component of WHL has been very successful in gaining support of teachers and parents and getting students excited about trying new foods. Tastings are one way we’ve introduced new foods in a fun atmosphere.
trying
Educational component of WHL has been very successful in gaining support of teachers and parents and getting students excited about trying new foods. Tastings are one way we’ve introduced new foods in a fun atmosphere.
Educational component of WHL has been very successful in gaining support of teachers and parents and getting students excited about trying new foods. Tastings are one way we’ve introduced new foods in a fun atmosphere.
Educational component of WHL has been very successful in gaining support of teachers and parents and getting students excited about trying new foods. Tastings are one way we’ve introduced new foods in a fun atmosphere.
Educational component of WHL has been very successful in gaining support of teachers and parents and getting students excited about trying new foods. Tastings are one way we’ve introduced new foods in a fun atmosphere.