Introduction

Food access programs related to schools, commonly referred to as Farm to School programs, create direct connections between schools and local farms, which lead to healthy meals being served in the cafeteria and increased sales opportunities for local farms.

Providing access to healthy foods at our schools is a necessary part of an effective learning environment. Research consistently shows a direct relationship between improved nutrition and academic achievement (referenced information available at www.californiaprojectlean.org). In addition, by enforcing health and nutrition classes with hands-on learning experiences and nutritious meal options we not only remain consistent in our messages, but create the opportunity for changing habitual eating patterns which are partially responsible for a trend of increased childhood diseases, including obesity, asthma, and type-2 diabetes.

Our Work in Sacramento

Since 2005, Soil Born Farms has focused its Farm to School programs on providing experiential farm-based education and hands-on cooking classes. We provide access to our certified organic vegetables directly to students through our during-school and after-school youth programming at our Hurley Way Farm.

Increased production from our new American River Ranch location will allow Soil Born Farms to begin supplying local schools with fresh, locally produced seasonal vegetables in spring of 2008. We will be providing Sacramento Country Day School with produce to stock their salad bar and are currently working with the Sacramento Unified School District to continue a salad bar program piloted at two elementary schools in 2007.

If you are interested in having certified organic vegetables from Soil Born Farms at a school in the Sacramento area, please contact Randy Stannard, Food Access Coordinator: rstannard@soilborn.org