Other Programs  

Farm Programs

The Network for a Healthy California—LAUSD feels it is very important for students to understand where their food comes from. 

The road from “seed to belly” is an interesting one and so we’ve partnered with the wonderful folks at Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA), a non-profit sponsor of farmers’ markets throughout Los Angeles. Our goal is to familiarize students with where, and how, fruits and vegetables are grown, while giving them the opportunity to taste and sample fresh seasonal produce. 
 

When students meet a real farmer the questions are often amazing. “Do you have a car?” “Is there electricity where you live?” “Do you get lost in the fields?” 

The Farmer in the Classroom program brings local farmers directly into the schools. During a school day each farmer visits five classrooms to talk about their farms, their careers and the produce they grow. Students have a chance to ask questions and taste the various types of produce grown on the farm, which brings the whole experience to life. During the 2006-2007 school year, the program conducted 1,336 sessions and reached approximately 53,000 students.

With this program, schools can enjoy a farmers' market stand during a school nutrition event. The farmer brings a variety of fresh produce for tasting and sampling and is available to answer questions and interact with the participants. It is a popular way to introduce fruits and vegetables to family members who attend these events with their children. In 2005-2006, there were 41 Farmers’ Market Stands at our schools. 

For more information on these programs, please contact James McGroarty at (818) 609-2559 or james.f.mcgroarty@lausd.net, or Holly Calhoun at (323) 463-3171 Ext. 13 or holly@see-la.org.

View the Farm to School Video!

Last updated 4/2009