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Sugar Snap Peas were grown in four CSD gardens (College Heights, Oakhurst, Winnona, and the Decatur High School) and were recently picked to prepare for the second system-wide taste test. Students were treated to sampes of fresh peas during their lunch period. Everyone who tried something new should be congratulated!

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Harvesting

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Tasting

Oakhurst Elementary successfully grew and harvested broccoli in the fall, thanks to help from the garden committee. Shown below, Ms. Phillip's Kindergarten class had great fun while learning the true meaning of farm to table. They did it all...harvested, prepared, cooked, and yes, they actually tasted the fruits of their labor.

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The Decatur Farm to School Initiative is a grassroots effort led by parents, teachers, school administrators, community members and organizations.  Farm to School programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime, and supporting local farmers. The Initiative team was given an initial approval to explore the program’s potential by the City Schools of Decatur (CSD) Board in April 2009.

The Decatur Farm to School Initiative has subsequently held a town-hall meeting in May 2009 and established a set of committees to provide recommendations on a comprehensive initiative plan.  The Steering Committee developed the Initiative Logic Model and compiled the Initiative Plan, both of which will be presented to the CSD Board in November 2009.  Initial plans for the Farm to School Program include...

Farm to School is a natural response to growing concerns over childhood obesity, the viability of the American family farm, and the environmental impact of our consumption patterns.  Farm to School connects these concerns with a solution that can have benefits for students, farmers, schools, and communities.

Farm to School programs are not only about sourcing locally, but also about sourcing fresh and nutritious foods, providing educational opportunities for students about food choices and about where their food comes from, and helping to reinvigorate local economies.