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SEPTEMBER 2012: News from the National Farm to School Network!
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Prepare for National Farm to School Month: Resources, contests and more
The second annual National Farm to School Month starts October 1! Visit farmtoschoolmonth.org, to find helpful resources, like a communications toolkit, posters and a fact sheet you can hand out to community members. While you're visiting the website, don't miss these great opportunities:
For more information about resources and activities for Farm to School Month 2012, watch our archived webinar, "Making the Most of Farm to School Month".
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800 gather for 6th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Digging in!
The 6th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Digging in! was a resounding success! "I've found my tribe," said one attendee who, like many Farm to Cafeteria supporters from across the country, relished the support and community-building spirit at the center of the event.
Representatives from all 50 states and Canada were among the 800 attendees who traveled to Burlington, Vermont to take part in the August 2-5 conference. Speakers and special guests included Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Patrick Leahey, Representative Peter Welch, Representative Chellie Pingree, USDA Deputy Undersecretary Dr. Janey Thornton, WK Kellogg Foundation Vice President for Program Strategy Dr. Gail C. Christopher and Debra Eschmeyer, co-founder and Director of Policy and Partnerships for Food Corps.
Presentations and materials from many of the 40+ workshops and other learning opportunities are available online, and more are being added every week. Conference photos are available on Flickr. For more post-conference information, visit farmtocafeteriaconference.org.
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Spotlight on: New school nutrition standards
By the end of this week, schools across the country will be back in session, and their cafeterias will be serving meals designed to meet the new standards set out in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. This means lunch trays will include more whole grains, more fruits and vegetables, less sodium and new calorie caps.
To help schools, parents and students adjust to the changes, USDA Food and Nutrition Service has developed a toolkit with resources for different groups engaged in child nutrition programs (school administrators, school employees, parents, students, community members and the media). The kits include posters, fact sheets and sample lesson plans as well as activities for students and lots of FAQs.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has also developed a set of resources called "The School Day Just Got Healthier" that contains information for parents, educators and administrators as well as communications tools to help educate the public about the benefits of healthy school meals.
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Will you donate today to help us expand our reach? Your contribution will help us increase access to local, healthy foods and education opportunities that connect children to healthy, locally grown foods in schools throughout the nation. Together we are creating Farm to School programs that are an essential component of strong and just local and regional food systems, and we are ensuring the health of school children, farms, communities, the environment and the economy.
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Food, farm and nutrition Curriculum connections: Developing educational experiences that meet teacher needs
Sept. 11, 12 - 1 CDT
Join members of the Farm Based Education and Farm to School Communities across the country to discuss how to develop educational experiences on farms and in gardens that reflect classroom curricula goals. We'll discuss strategies for developing lessons and activities that reflect classroom curriculum and meet standards. You'll learn how to frame educational experiences as a part of a curriculum framework and we will walk through some sample activities. The webinar will also include information about the new Common Core Standards and recommended resources for you to take next steps!
Register Here ______________________ |
12,000 SCHOOLS: STATISTICS AND RESEARCH THAT SUPPORTS FARM TO SCHOOL SUCCESS
Oct. 9, 12 - 12:20 CDT
This webinar will release the results of an internal survey conducted by the National Farm to School Network that demonstrates the growth of Farm to School across the country. The webinar will also highlight past research that demonstrates the important role Farm to School plays in supporting healthy children and healthy communities. Use this webinar to gain the information you need to be an effective advocate for Farm to School in your community!
Register Here ______________________ |
New Resources
Strengthening Farm to School programs: A policy brief for state and local LEGISLATORS
This policy brief provides an overview of the benefits of Farm to School programs and outlines five specific recommendations about the types of legislation lawmakers could introduce to support local and state programs. Created by the Community Food Security Coalition and NFSN.
Snapshot: Farm to Preschool 2012
NEW FARM TO SCHOOL FACT SHEETS FROM NFSN
Topics include:
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In the News
NEW 'FOOD HUBS' CONNECT SCHOOLS WITH LOCAL FARMERS, FUFILL NEW SCHOOL LUNCH RULES
Starting in August, student meals featured apples, peaches, nectarines, plums and oranges from farms only a few miles away - with the help of a new online company that connects local farmers with school districts. |
Farm to school program ready for new school year
Nic Hubbard has been working hard all summer tending to the Northern Hills Elementary garden. Next week he will have to hand over his gardening duties to other students.
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Organizers of the 6th National farm to Cafeteria Conference hope the gathering will sow the seeds of food system reform.
Read on...
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