This year, another Colorado school district will join the growing national movement to bring fresh vegetables from school gardens into school cafeterias, directly onto the plates of the students who grew them.
Just four years ago, only a few schools in the country were doing this. But after Denver Public Schools worked with Slow Food Denver to create food-safety guidelines, the garden-to-cafeteria movement is spreading across the country, and the DPS food safety protocol is now a national model. By May 2013, four states and the District of Columbia had laws to ensure that produce from school gardens could be served in school cafeterias, according to the nonprofit ChangeLab Solutions.
“The kids are really excited about it,” said Emily O’Winter, healthy schools coordinator at Jeffco Public Schools, which tested pilot programs at four of its schools last year. “They’re so proud. At the salad bar, they look for their tomatoes from the garden.”
Experts say the trend is rooted in a convergence of events: the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that targeted childhood obesity; new USDA nutritional requirements that fruits and vegetables be served daily at school lunches; and the growth in consumer demand for foods grown locally.
At first, the idea of serving vegetables from school gardens in school cafeterias was so novel that CLICK TO KEEP READING
Author: Mile High Mamas
Kara
This should be added to all schools nation-wide, this is a great idea, it could teach children a good culture of awareness of what they eat and how to grow their own food.
Andrea
Now if we could only get students the services they need, like school based therapies, classroom aides, and learning support services for all those who need them.
Betty
This is a type of therapy and learning. Also, promotes sharing and teamwork.
Johanna
Its a good idea to get kids involved with such a positive program. Its to bad schools started doing this because the schools can’t afford fresh produce due to budget cuts. Everyone wants that schools to serve a higher quality meal but no one is willing to pay for it.
Amber Johnson
I think this is a fantastic idea. My daughter’s Waldorf school has a greenhouse and it has taught the children wonderful life lessons. They also sell the produce as a fundraiser.