FARM-to-SCHOOL
Farm to school programs bring healthy food to children by connecting schools with local farms, school gardens and school meals. The goal is to serve healthy meals in cafeterias, improve student nutrition, provide food, farm, and nutrition education opportunities, raise awareness and establish a positive relationship with food that will last a lifetime. Farm to school helps children connect the dots by showing them where their food comes from and how their food choices impact their bodies, the environment, and their communities at large. The farm-to-school lesson plan approach from Permaculture Institute Asia (PIA), integrates the Classroom, Cafeteria, and the Community. Contact us for more information at PermiesAsia@gmail.com
Why adobt Farm-to-School? Because thousands of schools and education organizations across Asia and the world, are embracing “food education” through – 1. school gardens, 2. educational farms, and 3. school meals. These meals are filled with nutritious, local, and seasonal ingredients and attach a educational element that enhances students awareness of nature, citizenship and where food comes from. They bring locally sourced and nutritious food to school cafeterias, improve child nutrition, provide agriculture, health, and nutrition education opportunities to young people, and support local farmers. It has been estimated every dollar spent in farm-to-school programs generates more than two dollars in local economic activity. This includes engaged parents in learning healthier eating at home, reduce food waste at the school, even and improve student test scores and an increase in children’s fruit and vegetable consumption by more than 40 percent. Farm-to-school programs can help inspire healthier eating habits in children and these habits can lead to higher educational outcomes. When children learn about the connection between their food and the environment, they often become better stewards of the land. Across the globe, farm-to-school programs are helping foster connections between students, teachers, parents, farmers, and policymakers through activities that support health, nutrition, agriculture, and local economies.
FARM-to-SCHOOL PROGRAMS -Worldwide
AFRICA
Ghana School Feeding Program
Farm to School Africa
Chengelo School
Developing Innovations in School Cultivation
Europe
Food for Life – UK
Linking Environment and Farming Education – UK
Model Vihti – Finland
Agri Aware, Ireland
School Meals Program, Italy
North America
Farm to Cafeteria Canada, Canada
Fresh Roots, Canada
Farm to School, Canada
Ecotrust, United States
National Farm to School Network, United States
Seven Generations Ahead, United States
The Big Green,United States
Vermont Feed,United States
Food Corps, United States
Gallatin Valley Farm to School, United States
Food Connects, United States
South America
National School Feeding Program, Brazil
Strengthening School Feeding Programs
Agricultural School Fundación Cristo Vive Bolivia (FCVB)
Oceania
Australian Organic Schools, Australia
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, Australia
Garden to Table, New Zealand
Asia
Permaculture Institute of Asia, Asia
Permaculture Institute of Thailand
Green School, Indonesia