USDA Announces People's Garden School Pilot Program to Promote Garden-Based Learning Opportunities - Washington is Pilot State

People's Gardens Aim to Provide Nutritious, Safe and Healthier Choices for Children and Communities.

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that Washington State University will develop and run the People's Garden School Pilot Program which will serve an estimated 2,800 students attending 70 elementary schools in Washington, New York, Iowa and Arkansas. The Healthy Gardens, Healthy Youth pilot is an innovative strategy to help our nation win the future through improved K-12 education. It explores the impact of school gardens on learning and on changing student consumption patterns so they make healthier food choices.

"School gardens hold great promise for educating our kids about food production and nutrition," said Vilsack. "Learning where food comes from and what fresh food tastes like, and the pride of growing and serving your own fruits and vegetables, are life-changing experiences. Engaging kids in our efforts to end childhood hunger and curb childhood obesity is critical if we are going to succeed."

Full Press Release

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for 2011-12 - Now Accepting Applications

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides all enrolled students in participating elementary schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options. The FFVP also encourages community partnerships to support the schools when they offer free fruit and vegetables to students during the school day.

For school year 2011-12, the grant application process has now begun. To be eligible to apply, a school must have a reported FRP percentage of at least 50%, based on the published October school data (OSPI Bulletin No. B005-11.) While all schools with a FRP ≥50% may apply for participation, the following provides specific guidance for the 2011-12 school year FFVP:

• Schools with a FRP ≥84.2% will receive the grant.
• Schools with a FRP ≥72% < 84.2% are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit OSPI Child Nutrition. The application is on the right side in the box titled 'Additional Information'

USDA Expands Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Schools Across the Nation

USDA Expands Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Schools Across the Nation

Investment Aims to Improve Nutrition and Provide Economic Opportunities to Producers

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2010 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that, as authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), USDA will expand assistance to state agencies for schools operating USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) in the 2011/2012 school year. The investment is part of the Obama administration's efforts to improve the health of our children by providing access to nutritious meals in schools and also serves as a valuable resource to schools that continue working to improve the health and nutrition of the foods they serve. The assistance will provide free fresh fruit and vegetables to children throughout the school day.

"Improving the health and nutrition of our kids is a national imperative and by providing schools with fresh fruits and vegetables that expand their healthy options, we are helping our kids to have a brighter, healthier future," said Vilsack. "Every time our kids eat a piece of fruit or a vegetable, they are learning healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime."

Full USDA Press Release

Learn more about the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in Washington

Washington will receive: $3,244,569

WSFFN Fresh Food In Schools Program

New Program to Help Schools Purchase Washington-Grown Fruits and Vegetables

Washington State Department of Agriculture awarded The Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network $172,000 to help implement its three-year Fresh Food in Schools project. The project will build public awareness and support to increase school district purchasing of Washington’s fruits and vegetables specialty crops.

“We are delighted to be able to work across Washington State to support our farmers feeding our kids! Our Fresh Food in Schools program will help farmers enter the school market and help our kids get better access to Washington grown fruits and vegetables.” says Ellen Gray, Executive Director of The Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network.

Partners supporting the Fresh Food in Schools project include: the Washington State PTA, the Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, PCC Natural Markets, the Child Obesity Prevention Coalition and WSDA’s Farm to School program.

The WA Sustainable Food & Farming Network is excited to announce the hiring of three regional coordinators for the Fresh Food in Schools Project. If you are a school district, farm or parent/community group interested in starting or supporting a farm to school program in your area, we can help. Our coordinators will provide free hands-on assistance to help increase your school district’s purchases of Washington grown fruits and vegetables. Twenty school districts across the state will be chosen to participate.

For Western WA contact Rita Ordóñez at 360-336-0932 rordonez@wsffn.org

For Central WA contact Joan Qazi at 509 664-6691 jqazi@wsffn.org

For Eastern WA contact Jennifer Hall at 509 993-1189: jhall@wsffn.org

Orcas Island F2C one of America's 10 Best!

Orcas Island F2C one of America's 10 Best! An article appeared in The Daily Meal online magazine featuring 10 of America's best school lunch programs - Orcas Island is one of them!! The Huffington Post online magazine also picked up the story! Click here for the slide show and article.

Student Chef Winners! See who won and a slide show on the event which occurred on February 12 by visiting our web site www.orcasislandf2c.org and clicking on the "Student Chef Competition" tab on the left. It was another truly amazing day with amazing kids who love to cook!

Millie Kau (4th grade) and Arla Sutton (3rd grade) teamed up and won a prize with their Salad Noodle Rolls.

Keenan O'Brien (8th grade) won the Grand Prize Overall with his White Bean Chicken Chili which he described as "It tastes delicious, it is chock-full of healthy ingredients, it is fairly economical, it is quick to make and can feed a large group of hungry students!"

Seattle: A Food Revolution in Seattle Schools? (seattleschild.com)

A Food Revolution in Seattle Schools? | Seattle's Child
Source: seattleschild.com

Get to know a little about Eric Boutin, Nutrition Director for Seattle Public Schools, in this profile and interview with him from Seattle’s Child. He talks about the importance of fresh, wholesome food in school meals, along with some of the challenges of farm-to-school and healthier food service.

Eric also answers questions about school lunch on the Questionland Seattle website. From local food, organics and school gardens to chocolate milk and salad bars, Eric responded to inquiries from readers about Seattle’s school meals program.

Seattle/King County Farm to Table Project

WSDA Farm-to-School Program is working in partnership with Seattle Aging & Disability Services and Puget Sound Food Network to support senior meal programs and child care programs in getting more seasonal locally-grown produce into the meals they offer. The project was honored on Wednesday, March 3^rd , by a visit from USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn! Dr. Merrigan was in town to learn more about the Northwest Agriculture Business Center and the Puget Sound Food Network. She and the Mayor, along with representatives from Rep. Inslee’s and Sen. Cantwell’s offices, had lunch with the Farm to Table team, participating farmers and senior meal participants at the Central Senior Services meal site and then headed off to Central Market in Shoreline to learn more about NABC’s work with retailers and local agricultural producers.

(This is a CPPW grant-funded project through Seattle Aging & Disability Services and Public Health-Seattle & King County)