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Learn about Farm to School program, providing students with nutritious food and education while supporting local farmers and economies. Get tips, resources, and success stories for implementing school gardens and nutrition programs.
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Directors’ Conference 2013 - 2014 Lighting the Torch for School Nutrition Ten Speed
Farm to School Paige Holland Habersham County
Farm to School What is Farm to School (F2S)? Providing students with nutritious food & education while supporting our local farmers Supporting our local economies and creating new stakeholders in our schools and school nutrition programs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OX8qJN1Azs&feature=youtu.be
Getting Started • Start simple Define what local is in your district Find out who your local farmers are Contact your local farmer Contact your distributor Find out what local produce is available, and when
What’s Next? • Procurement Buy through your distributor if possible Get at least three quotes Include your definition of local Follow USDA procurement guidelines
Activities • Taste Tests • Cafeteria Staff and Teacher Training • Bring in Local Chefs for Demos • Community Classes • School Gardens
Resources • National Farm to School Network: http://www.farmtoschool.org/resources.php • Georgia Organics: http://www.georgiaorganics.org/ • USDA FNS Farm to School: http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool • GaDOE School Nutrition Department: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Finance-and-Business-Operations/School-Nutrition/Pages/FNBSU.aspx
Bibb County School Gardens Pre K students at Springdale
Why School Gardens? • Teaches students healthier ways to eat. • Helps students learn where food comes from. • Provides students with hands-on experience. • Learn teamwork, sense of pride, responsibility, knowledge of how their efforts resulted in items that they will soon enjoy eating!
School Gardens • Garden beds: above-ground pre-made, cedar beds, 4x4 in size, with attached trellis. (Lowe’s) • COST • Each is approximately $55 each. • Soil is $40 per bed. • Plants range from $30-$35 each depending on the items. • Items to consider are: lettuce, turnips, cucumbers, collards, bell peppers, a variety of herbs, tomatoes, kale, carrots, and radish. • ROI: Reward of Investment: PRICELESS!!!!!!
Help from Others • The School Nutrition Department works collaboratively with teachers and schools. • Creates a cooperative relationship with the school and teachers. • Teachers incorporate the school garden experiences to the curriculum through math, science, social studies, writing, reading, and nutrition. • Partner with community groups: Community Health Works, 4H program, and the Master Gardeners. • Parents also volunteer to work with school gardens.
What’s Next • Gardens are not large enough to feed the entire school, however they do produce enough to share with other classrooms and use in some recipes. • Harvested items are taken to the kitchen where the Nutrition Manager works with students to prepare them for them for tasting or serving.
Fresh Collards Jones Elementary Freshly Picked
School Gardens Great Success • The School Nutrition Program Garden Projects have • created positive perception in community and with parents • improved the perceptions of the SN Program with teachers • developed connections with students at the schools • established strong relationships with community groups • This project • began three years ago at one school with three gardens • now there are 11 schools and 32 aboveground gardens • Support is critical: • teachers and principals • district departments, maintenance, custodial and safety • students, teachers, administration, and community sponsors
Additional Information • If you would like additional information on this great opportunity for your students, you may contact • Theresa Cantrell at tcantrell@bibb.k12.ga.us • Dr. Cleta Long at clong@bibb.k12.ga.us
Construction Planning Checklist Karen Mathis Paulding County
Construction Planning What’s Your Construction Style? • Multiple Projects Simultaneously • Singular & Steady • So Rare I Can’t Remember
Construction Planning Checklist • Single Page • Quick Reference • Improve / Update Over Time
Construction Tool Kit • Tote Bag • Cell Phone with Construction Contacts Loaded • Hard Hat & Mud Boots • Measuring Tape • Flashlight • Expandable Folder for Documents/Blue Prints • Water Bottle
Construction Tool Kit • Wet Wipes OR Toilet Paper!
Feed My School For A Week Bleckley County Schools Kathy Peavy, Director & Georgia Department of Agriculture
Feed My School For A Week Bleckley County Elementary School 2011-2012
Feed My School For A Week Bleckley County Primary School 2012-2013
Seamless Summer Success Story Kelly Schlein Jasper County
District Statistics • Jasper County, Monticello, Georgia • Population: 2,609 • Free & Reduced Percentage: 72%
Survey • How many children age 18 and under live in your household? • If a free Summer Feeding Program was offered this summer, would you be interested in your children participating in it? Yes or No • Which part of the county do you live closest to? Circle one.
Starting From Ground Up • Meet with key community stakeholders. • Survey parents for program interest. • Survey to include geographical areas of the community where the potential students lived. • Organize site locations and volunteers according to survey results.
Sites • Middle School- Production Site • Five Churches • Fire Station • Community Beach Area • Mobile Site (Bus) • Non Profit Learning Center • Total ten sites
Program Layout • Mondays –Thursdays only • Breakfast available (Middle School only) • Lunch available (all sites) • Meals transported in coolers
Lessons Learned: • One week cycle is boring. • Kiddos want warm options over cold. • Place sites in most populated areas. • If parents can’t feed their children, they can’t feed themselves.
