AREAS OF FOCUS
Farm to ECE
Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) helps to increase access to local foods, garden experiences, and food and farming education for children in ECE settings.
4 AREAS OF FOCUS
Recommendations for Farm to Early Care and Education Activities
Early care and education programs can promote access to fresh local foods, gardening experiences, and nutrition education by following the recommendations listed below.
It is recommended to serve locally grown or raised foods in meals, snacks, and/or in nutrition education activities at least once per week.
If possible, it is recommended to serve more than one type of local food at the program each week.
For example, serve a locally-grown fruit (peaches are a local food staple in Alabama!) and a locally-grown vegetable (summer squash grows in abundance in Alabama!) with a meal or snack.
When possible, make consistent purchases from a local food source, such as a farmers market, food hub, or even directly from a farm near you.
Locally-grown foods can often be found at farmers markets, farmers stands, U-Pick farms, and some local grocery stores.
Offering gardening activities at least once a week or having a garden on-site can help in developing gross and fine motor skills, sensory engagement, and social-emotional skills.
A garden can be created using containers or garden beds, or can even be started in-ground!
When possible, it is recommended to use produce grown in an on-site garden in meals, snacks, or taste test activities.
It is recommended to provide food and farm education at least once a week, teaching children where food comes from and how it is grown.
Hands-on learning can help with introducing new foods and shows the process of how food is grown and prepared.
Children can learn through cooking demonstrations, taste tests, and interactions with farmers or gardeners.
ECE programs participating in Farm to ECE activities should provide information to families and encourage them to participate when possible.
Families can play an important role in making Farm to ECE activities successful and sustainable!
Having clear policies detailing the Farm to ECE activities that are provided and the importance of these activities can help with getting buy-in from families.
Want resources for meeting these best practices in your childcare program? Visit the Resource Page for ECE Providers!
ASSESS YOUR PROGRAM’S FARM TO ECE ACTIVITIES
The practices outlined in this section are based on the Farm to Early Care and Education Self-Assessment from the National Farm to School Network and the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists. Early childhood educators can use this tool to assess their current Farm to ECE activities and develop a plan for implementing new activities.
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