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www.csrees.usda.gov United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Community Food Project (CFP) Fresh Food Program Promotes Healthy Eating Habits Among Children by Stacy Kish, CSREES Gary Cuneen founded the advocacy the link between nurturing their group Seven Generations Ahead bodies with healthy food and nurturing (SGA) in 2001, located in Oak Park, Ill., the environment through growing Communities across to find local solutions to global food in ecologically healthy ways.” the nation are fighting environmental problems. The group Healthy, sustainably grown food the increased incidence offers a comprehensive “farm-to-school” items are not marketed to children of childhood obesity program called Fresh from the Farm. as effectively as fast food items, which and Type II diabetes. “Fresh from the Farm is very have limited nutritional value. Seven With funding from USDA’s focused on promoting healthy eating Generation’s Fresh from the Farm Cooperative State Research, habits among children,” Cuneen said. program reconnects students, parents, Education, and Extension “We’re trying to connect children and teachers in the Chicago metro area Service (CSREES), a group to the earth and the source of their with the joy, value and importance of in Illinois is promoting food, and in the process, teach them eating a well-balanced and healthy diet. continued next page >> environmental sustainability and healthy eating habits in the youngest Americans. >> ommunications Staff . 1/2 | CSREES C , pg Right: McAuliffe Elementary .pdf student shows off a basket ood of tomatoes she picked at the eshf Prairie Crossing Organic Farm. Credit: Christina Luongo t_016_03_26_08_fr cfp_impac www.csrees.usda.gov >> continued from previous page The group teaches children the health and environmental benefits of eating The Community Food Project fresh, locally grown and organic food. promotes projects that This is accomplished through nutrition inspire leadership and active education. The students are exposed community involvement. These projects foster to fresh fruits and vegetables at weekly relationships that benefit tastings and experience the joy of food all participants well beyond during hands-on activities like planting, the funding cycle. harvesting and composting on the farm. The healthy eating habits developed during the program are carried over procurement specialist works with into lifelong healthy eating habits. local school districts to bring local, Recent program evaluations show fresh produce to school lunch tables, that students’ knowledge about healthy and supports menu development eating and locally grown foods has and marketing and publicity strategy increased significantly, and parents development. and students are reporting greater In collaboration with the Oak Park Above: Lozano student proudly holds awareness about the importance of River Forest High School Food Service, a carrot she picked on a recent farm visit to the Green Earth Institute Organic Farm. eating fresh fruits and vegetables and the Fresh from the Farm program has Credit: Anna Barnes are reporting increased consumption piloted healthy school lunch fundraisers of healthy foods as well. to encourage the incorporation of In addition to educating students, healthy vegetables, fruits and grains the Fresh from the Farm program offers in the Oak Park District 97 elementary teacher training and parent education. and middle school lunch program. Teacher training is aligned with Illinois The healthy pilot lunches were education standards. Teachers are so well received by students and parents provided nutrition education and that the pilot has been incorporated information on curriculum activities into the district’s school lunch program, centered on organic food, global food which now incorporates healthy lunch References traditions and learning to enjoy food offerings with whole grains, fresh fruits Going Local: Paths to Success for Farm to School with the five senses. The program and vegetables and occasional offerings Programs, National Farm to School Program also hosts Parent-Child Healthy Eating of local and sustainably raised produce. Center for Food and Justice, Occidental College Nights. These events bring children CSREES funded this research project and Community Food Security Coalition. and parents together to sample healthy through the Community Foods Project Fresh from the Farm Newsletters. food choices. The parents also receive program. Through federal funding and ommunications Staff Archdiocese of Chicago Food Service Thinking valuable information on health trends, leadership for research, education and Seven Generations Ahead, Catholic Rural Life Magazine, Spring 2006 Volume 48, Number 2. nutrition information and healthy extension programs, CSREES focuses . 2/2 | CSREES C , pg eating habits in the home. on investing in science and solving .pdf Farm to School Resource Packet, National Farm ood to School Program at www.farmtoschool.org. Fresh from the Farm is a resource critical issues impacting people’s daily eshf OPRF To Serve Up Healthy Lunches for D97, to connect school districts with local lives and the nation’s future. For more Oak Park Wednesday Journal, May 10, 2006. farmers. Fresh from the Farm’s information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov. t_016_03_26_08_fr cfp_impac USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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