School District Questions and Answers –
With current vice- chair- Twinkle Ann Morton
Nutrition and Kids
First of all, let me begin by reminding my readers that this column is my opinion and my opinion only. By that I mean, I am not speaking for the board merely making observations about educational topics and asking for your perspective and input. I went to the State Oregon School Board Conference in Portland and attended many fascinating and informative workshops. The one that strikes closest to my heart for our community is the Farm to School Program. I believe it gives us what we all want for our community – Healthy children and a Healthy Community Economy. With this program – Kids Win, Farmers Win and Our Community Wins. Now this is my kind of idea.
Farm to School “enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and preschools.” The students win by gaining healthy, local food as well as educational opportunities such as learning about different foods, cooking lessons, farm field trips and maybe even future gardens. This program empowers our children and their families to make additional informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to our state, region, and community.
For me, the chances of seeing better student and staf health are easy to imagine as is the benefit to local farmers. As for our current food service, here is what they stand to gain from joining in this project. IN other schools doing this, there is an increase in students eating meals going from 3% to 16% thus generating more revenue for them. Increased cafeteria offerings of fruits and vegetables will coincide with new seasonal recipes, as well as potential changes in cafeteria waste quantity and management policies.
Teachers also have positive changes with diets and lifestyles. Parents have increased interest with kids eating local food and making healthier choices for obvious reasons. Our educational part would foreground the different foods purchased with recipes and ideas. All will be amazed that it is possible to eat most of the year with some or many local foods.
So what is next? Well- I am writing to the state offices for information, grants, and lists of area food handlers. I hope to get that information and work on it with a committee of interested community people in the next months- hopefully coming up with Phase I in the fall of 2016. That committee has some early work to do such as defining the term “local” and working to find providers. So if you are interested, please contact me at the address below; I will create a list of interested people. Once I have the state info back, we will get started. I am looking forward to bringing this to our children and community.
I’ll leave you with this poster I saw… I am eager for our children to know this. “Take care of your body. It is the only place you have to live in.” Please write or call to ask questions or add comments at tmorton@fernridge.k12.or.us or 541-915-9367.