Description
The Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program aims to increase knowledge of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health of children. The program supports projects that bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system to increase capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and classrooms, while fostering higher levels of community engagement between farms and school systems.
Key activities may include:
• Expanding farm-to-school programs beyond lunch to bring local or regional food products into the School Breakfast program
• Operating service projects that support farm-to-school initiatives in schools
• Readying producers to participate in school food service by providing training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and other food safety-related topics
• Providing technical support in the form of face-to-face and/or virtual trainings, consultations, webinars, etc.
• Developing promotional campaigns in support of farm-to-school initiatives
• Expanding strategic planning efforts to expand or coordinate efforts across multiple school districts
• Conducting farm-to-school evaluation efforts
• Establishing new or strengthening existing community partnerships
• Encouraging increased consumption of fruits and vegetables through promotional activities, taste tests, and other activities
• Expanding experiential or agriculture-based learning opportunities, such as the creation of school gardens, support to ag/food clubs, or increased exposure to on-farm activities
• Developing and evaluating integrated curriculum to reinforce food and nutrition-based learning throughout the school environment.