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Greetings!
Greetings from Vermont FEED. It has been an exciting month here at FEED with Farm to School Awareness Day, Jr. Iron Chef applications flooding through the doors, and new courses for schools and communities around the state. We hope you enjoy hearing our news.
Warmly,
The Vermont FEED team
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New VT FEED Courses for Schools and Communities
Starting in January 2010, Vermont FEED educators, Danielle Pipher and
Erica Curry will be launching two new courses at Cabot
School and the Randolph Elementary School. The courses called "Healthy Eating through the Seasons" are designed to create an opportunity for school educators, food
service, staff, parents and community members to network, collaborate, and
expand food, farm & nutrition education in their classrooms, cafeterias and
communities! These credit-bearing courses will give participants an opportunity to explore
ways to integrate food and wellness programs into existing curriculum, align farm-to-school programs with state standards and Grade Equivalents and the school
wellness policy. For more information on our professional development courses
or consultations, please visit visit our website http://vtfeed.org/what_we_do/courses_and_workshops. |
Stories from the Field
Farm to School Awareness Day-- a great success
Over 100 people joined us in the Statehouse Cafeteria on January 14th to celebrate Farm to School Awareness Day. This annual event, hosted by the newly formed Vermont Farm to School Network, was held to celebrate the many successes of the 2009 Farm to School Grantees and to announce the 2010 Farm to School grantees. And what a celebration indeed. 6th grade Sharon Elementary student, Lucia Gagliardone shared an amazing testimony to the work of Farm to School around the state. "Farm to School has affected me greatly and I'm able to share my knowledge of where my food comes from with my parents and friends. Now that we have local food available in our cafeteria I notice kids and staff making healthier choices," she said. Way to go, Lucia-- we can't wait to see what the future holds for you!
State Representative and farmer Will Stevens, presented the awards and commented, "The Farm to School program engages students, school staff, and educators with farmers who work to keep Vermont's landscape productive. The long term implications of engaging our youth in positive relationships with healthy, local food and the folks that produces it are enormous. I've been impressed that many of the grants have been used to address some of the infrastructure issues schools often face when considering the purchase of local foods."
Five schools across the state received Implementation Grants-- Cabot
School, Troy School, Twinfield Union School, Woodstock Elementary, and
Randolph Elementary. Six schools received Planning Grants-- Craftsbury
School, Peacham School, Stockbridge Central School, The Dorset School,
Cavendish Town Elementary School and St. Johnsbury School. Schools that received 2009 grants shared their stories and delicious local treats.
"The Centers for Disease Control released a report this month stating that 70% of Americans will die from a diet related illness," Tom Stearns of High Mowing Seeds said as he addressed the
crowd."We need a new generation of kids that are growing up with food system literacy. They need to know where there food comes from, what healthy food is and what a healthy food system is." Tom announced High Mowing's continued support of Farm to School projects around the state by offering any school that contacts him, a selection of seeds. You can call High Mowing for more details at 802-472-6174. An inspirational day for all in attendance. Great work 2009 grantees and congratulations 2010 awardees!
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Jr. Iron Chef VT
March 27, 2010
Champlain Valley Expo
This year, the 3rd Annual Jr. Iron Chef VT has grown to 80 teams of
Vermont high school and middle school students. More teams, more local
ingredients, more awesome farm and food activities...you don't want to
miss this delicious fun! Check out the website for up to date news and preparations.
Want to be part of this event? Join the fun as a sponsor or volunteer! Please contact Libby McDonald for more details
802.434.4122.
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Shelburne Farms' Project Seasons Farmer Workshop
March 5-6, 2010
Develop hands-on education programs for your farm that encourage school groups and visitors to learn and explore. Whatever your farming background and whatever your farm, these seasonal workshops are for you! Topics include marketing your farm program to schools and the community, creating a safe farm environment for the public, and meeting teachers' needs. For more information visit Shelburne Farms' calendar.
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Vermont FEED
A collaboration of three Vermont non-profits:
Food Works at Two Rivers Center, NOFA-VT and Shelburne Farms
PO Box 697
Richmond, VT 05401
www.vtfeed.org
802.434.4122
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