Pinnacle Prevention
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Position on Justice
  • How We Work
    • Active Living
    • Arizona Food Systems Network
    • Double Up Food Bucks Arizona
    • Farmers Market Nutrition Program >
      • Farmers Market Nutrition Program - ESPAÑOL
    • Trauma Informed Nutrition Initiative
    • Pots to Love
    • Seeds to Grow
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Donate

What's On Our Hearts and Minds​

Farm to School programs support healthy kids, local faRmers, and thriving communities

10/6/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

​​October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate connections between schools, local farmers, and food. Farm to School Month is an opportunity to emphasize the importance of farm to school programs as a way to improve child nutrition, support local economies, and educate children about the origins of food.

​According to the USDA’s 2015 Farm to School Census, 42 percent of districts surveyed said they participate in farm to school activities. That means 5,254 districts with 42,587 schools are offering locally-grown food in their cafeterias, holding taste-testing demos for fresh foods, taking their students on field trips to farms, starting school gardens and more. As a result, 23.6 million students are developing healthy eating habits and connecting with where their food comes from.
 
Farm to School programs don’t just expose children to healthy food options – they also boost local economies and support farmers. According to the USDA census data, schools purchased nearly $790 million in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, food processors, and manufacturers in the 2013-2014 school year, and this number is growing each year.
 
Arizona has diverse landscapes, cultures, and agricultural products. Farm to school programs across the state help students understand, appreciate, and interact with all of these important factors influencing the food they eat.
 
FoodCorps, for example, is an organization that connects kids to healthy foods in schools. They teach cooking and gardening classes, explore ways to ensure students have healthy options in the cafeteria, and advocate for a schoolwide culture of health. In Arizona, FoodCorp assists at Cibecue Community Schools, Tuba City Health Care Corporation, Moenkopi Developers Corporation, Prescott Farmers Market, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, The STAR School, and the Native American Advancement Foundation.
 
Many schools across the state also participate in school garden programs. Explore Good Food Finder AZ’s comprehensive list to find a school garden near you. Having a garden at school benefits students by giving them an opportunity to get their hands dirty and learn a wide array of disciplines, including the natural and social sciences, math, language arts and nutrition.
 
With all of the incredible benefits and opportunities these programs offer, there’s no question that Farm to School Month is worth celebrating, so help us spread the word!
 
If you’re a teacher, consider planning nutrition education activities, such as “Harvest of the Month” activity featuring a local food product that is in season. Feeling more adventurous? Organize a farm tour or trip to the local farmers market to provide a hands on experience that will educate and leave everyone hungry for a locally-grown, healthy snack.
 
If you’re a parent and your child’s school doesn’t have a farm to school program, consider visiting your local farmers market, buying seasonal and unusual products that you haven’t tried before, and even talking to farmers to educate your kids on where their food comes from.
 
As a local farmer or food producer, you can celebrate National Farm to School Month by reaching out to schools in your area and offering to come to a classroom during October, or even hosting a visit to your farm. You can also promote National Farm to School Month on your farm or at your farmers market booth with posters, activities, and other materials. 
 
And finally, join the #FarmToSchool conversation all month long for #F2SMonth. Stay tuned to our blog, Facebook, and Twitter for stories, insights and more as we celebrate these wonderful programs and efforts across our state. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Pinnacle Prevention Blog

    Follow our blog for tips, insights and conversations about healthy living.

    Archives

    May 2022
    March 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    August 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016

    Categories

    All
    Active Living
    Activity
    Agriculture
    Bicycling
    Bike Lanes
    Biking
    Body Image
    Breastfeeding
    Community
    Complete Streets
    Environmentally Friendly
    Family
    Family Friendly
    Farm Bill
    Farmers
    Farming
    Farm To School
    Food Security
    Food Systems
    Food Waste
    Health
    Healthy Habits
    Heat
    Hiking
    Holidays
    Hunger
    Kids
    Legislature
    Local Economy
    Malnutrition
    Nonprofit
    Nutrition
    Outdoors
    Parks
    Policy
    Public Spaces
    Public Transportation
    Resources
    Safety
    Schools
    Self Care
    SNAP
    Staying Active
    Sustainability
    Trails
    Transportation
    Volunteer
    Walkability
    Walking
    Women


Location

We have moved!

New address:
484 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85225

​480.307.6360
info@pinnacleprevention.org

Picture
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Position on Justice
  • How We Work
    • Active Living
    • Arizona Food Systems Network
    • Double Up Food Bucks Arizona
    • Farmers Market Nutrition Program >
      • Farmers Market Nutrition Program - ESPAÑOL
    • Trauma Informed Nutrition Initiative
    • Pots to Love
    • Seeds to Grow
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Donate