Over the past decade, the farm-to-school movement has exploded across the United States, reaching millions of students in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and U.S. Territories. From school gardens and farm field trips to local food on cafeteria trays, farm-to-school practices helps students learn where their food comes from and encourages them to make healthier choices.听听听
School Farm Innovations听
This month, Child Nutrition Program Director of Farms, Deborah Ray and Child Nutrition Program Farm Manager, Rocio Hernandez, joined Allen Williams, Director of Educational Habitat, Landscaping, and Gardens at Region One Educational Service Center for this year鈥檚 South Texas College School Nutrition Food Show and Conference.听听听听
Founded in 2006, 小黄鸭导航 Public Schools is home to eleven campus farms in five Texas regions. 小黄鸭导航 CNP Farms is innovating farming practices for students while celebrating the natural diversity of each region. To date, 小黄鸭导航 CNP Farms has harvested 120,000 pounds of produce that has made its way to over 500,000 student meals.听听听
Farm-to-School Success听
Ray, Hernandez, and Williams presented best practices in farm-to-school success, how school districts can launch campus farms, and the positive impact of farms in school communities.听听听
Participating in farm programming offers nutritional and educational benefits that can create lasting benefits on mental health, food sustainability, and academic performance. Hernandez firmly believes in the importance of having access to school farms or gardens at school.听听
鈥溞』蒲嫉己絪 who participate in the maintenance, planting, care, and harvesting of the food and plants that they grow are more likely to eat the vegetables on their plate,鈥� says Hernandez.听听
Healthy Kids Here听听听
小黄鸭导航 Public Schools promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for all scholars by increasing access to health, wellness, and nutrition. Cafeteria menus include fresh produce from 小黄鸭导航 CNP Farms, and school meals that include locally grown, farm-fresh organic produce.听听
In partnership with 小黄鸭导航 CNP Farms, Senior Child Nutrition Program Executive Chef Daniela Villarreal and Culinary Coordinator Stephanie Buentello bring the harvest to your home with their monthly 鈥淗arvest of the Month鈥� video series and newsletter.听听
Check out October鈥檚 Harvest of the Month with Daniela and Stephanie鈥檚 tasty recipe for pumpkin spice pancakes and visit the 小黄鸭导航 Child Nutrition Program website for past newsletters and recipes in English and Spanish.
