Welcome to Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate one of the coolest programs around—where farms and schools team up to put the freshest, most delicious local food on kids’ lunch trays. If you haven’t heard of Farm to School before, pull up a chair (preferably a nice wooden one from a farmhouse kitchen) and let us fill you in!
What Is Farm to School, Anyway?
Imagine this: instead of your typical cafeteria fare, students get to enjoy vibrant salads, juicy apples, or crunchy carrots, all harvested just a few miles down the road. That’s Farm-to-School in a nutshell. It’s about connecting local farmers with local schools so kids can enjoy the freshest food possible.
But it’s not just about food. Farm to School also helps students understand where their meals come from. It’s like a geography lesson, a science lab, and a cooking class all rolled into one, with a side of delicious! Think of it as a way to teach kids that carrots grow in the ground (not in plastic bags) and that apples don’t just appear in grocery store aisles. Plus, when students learn how food gets from
farm to fork, they become more excited to try those bright green broccoli florets or colorful beets they once scoffed at.
Why Does Farm to School Matter?
Better Nutrition: Fresh, local produce is packed with more vitamins and flavor. And when kids taste the difference, they’re more likely to reach for those fruits and veggies.
Supporting Local Farmers: When schools buy from nearby farms, those dollars stay in the community, helping our local farmers to keep growing.
Hands-On Learning: From classroom taste tests to field trips to local farms, Farm to School programs make learning fun. (And let’s be real—who doesn’t remember the time they got to pet a baby goat or plant their own lettuce seed?)
In Tillamook County, we’re all about building a robust and equitable food system, and Farm to School is a key part of that. It’s not just about what’s on the lunch tray, but also about what happens in the classroom, in the school garden, and in the community. It’s a movement that gives kids the tools they need to make healthy choices for life, while keeping our local food economy thriving.
How Food Roots Fits In
At Food Roots, we believe all children in our community have the right to a healthy future. Our Farm to School program champions this belief through garden-based education; farmer, food producer, and local food systems professional visits to classrooms; farm field trips; and local food tastings. These activities promote healthy habits, support academic, social, and behavioral development in students,
and build relationships between families and local food producers.
Want to Get Involved? Here’s How You Can Dig In!
Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a farmer, or just someone who thinks kids should know that tomatoes don’t come from the moon, there are plenty of ways to support Farm to School efforts. And don’t worry, no overalls required (unless you’re really into that look).
Volunteer with a School Garden: Help kids get their hands dirty and watch their eyes light up when they pull a carrot from the ground.
Host a Farm Tour: If you’re a local farmer, invite a class over to see how their food is grown. It’s like show-and-tell, but better!
Donate to Support the Cause: A little goes a long way. Your support helps Food Roots continue its work in bringing fresh, local food to schools, supporting our farmers, and educating the next generation of food lovers. Every dollar helps us plant the seeds for a healthier, happier community.
When we invest in Farm to School programs, we’re sowing the seeds of a brighter future—one where kids are more connected to their food, farmers have a steady market, and our community thrives together. So, this Farm-to-School Month, let’s raise a fork (or a trowel) to fresh food, local farms, and kids who know the difference between a potato and a parsnip.
We’ll be posting more fun stuff all month, so check back here for more recipes and info. And if you’re not already following us on social media, make sure to add @foodrootsnw next time you log in.
Happy eating, everyone!
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