Learning about Food Systems
Do the students and staff in your school know where there food comes from? Do they know the farmer who grew it? Do they know how to cook it?
Farm-to-School programs are an exciting and simple idea. They exist worldwide in many forms. The basic idea is that schools and local farms build a relationship. Students find out where the food in the school (for cafeterias, lunch programs, snacks, etc.) comes from (local farm or farms), and either visit the farm or have the farmer visit their classrooms. The idea is to create more awareness around food and farming.
Benefits to this type of program include:
- increased awareness of food systems and food justice issues
- understanding of natural life cycles
- curriculum-linked studies in areas such as Biology, Geography, Agriculture, Rural/Urban Studies, Environmental Studies, Language Arts, Physical Education
- supporting local farms and farm livelihoods
- supporting rural livelihoods and rural economies
- avoiding pesticides and additives in commercial foods (if linked to organic or natural farms)
- reducing food miles and other environmental impacts of food grown far away
- increased understanding and awareness around direct environmental impacts of farming and food production practices
- a stronger sense of community, bridging cultural gaps between farmers and non-farmers
- empowering students to understand what it is they eat
- helps students learn benefits of a nutritious and healthy diet.
