Farm to School and Early Care and Education (ECE) are Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change and direct education interventions that improve access to local foods in school and ECE environments and provide educational opportunities to encourage healthy eating behaviors.
Farm to School and ECE empower children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities.
Farm to School and ECE activities can encompass a variety of different activities, from garden-enhanced nutrition education to tastings of local produce to working with school districts on policy or system changes that increase local foods in schools or at ECE sites.
Rethinking Farm to School
Rethinking Farm to School, a project by the Center for Ecoliteracy, is designed to support CFHL, UCCE staff in their efforts of implementing farm to school programs and expanding local food procurement initiatives in SNAP-Ed eligible schools. Farm to school programs promote sustainable school communities through food accessibility, school gardens, and nutrition education.
The Center for Ecoliteracy created marketing resources aimed at supporting local procurement in schools. CFHL, UCCE staff can use these editable resources to promote farm to school programs.
Resources
Please see the resources below for information & tips on Rethinking Farm to School and Farm to ECE implementation.
- Rethinking Farm to School
- • Toolkit
• Marketing Templates
• Graphics
• Posters - Farm to ECE
- • CDSS Farm to CACFP Initiative
- External Resources
- • California Farm to School Program
• Center for Ecoliteracy
• National Farm to School Network
• Institute of Child Nutrition
• USDA Farm to School Program
Harvest of the Month
Harvest of the Month (HOTM) was created by the California Department of Public Health and Public Health Institute and features a new produce item every month.
By combining tastings with HOTM curricula and materials, children learn to enjoy a variety of different fruits and vegetables while learning fun facts and health benefits about each.
- Resources
- Harvest of the Month Resources for UCCE Educators
The resources in this folder include videos, handouts, and social media posts to promote produce items from the school meal menu. Many of these resources were created by CHFL, UCCE county programs!
California Department of Public Health HOTM Curricula (Elementary, Grades 4-6)
This California Department of Public Health curriculum provides lesson plans and workbook activities to help children and families improve access to, preference for, and consumption of fruits and vegetables- particularly those grown in California- while promoting regular physical activity.
Harvest of the Month Newsletters
This website includes Family, Community, and Educator Newsletters for different fruits and vegetables.
Quick Links
Rethinking Farm to School
Harvest of the Month
View CalFresh Healthy Living, UC-recommended evaluation tools for Harvest of the Month and other tastings.