“I strongly believe that it is important to teach children where their food comes from. Making a connection to healthy food in its natural state is critical to teaching them that they can grow or purchase fresh veggies and fruits.” Brenda Tourangeau, Coordinator of Concrete Supports, Volunteers and Continuing Education, and the team at Milton Family Community Center (MFCC) are dedicated to connecting kids to agriculture, nutrition, and people who grow their food—and the work is paying off.
The onsite garden is a hit with the earliest learners. “The pre-schoolers enjoy picking the veggies and eating them immediately,'' Brenda explains. “One parent told me that her son loves going to the produce department while they grocery shop! He had to have the fresh green beans, and talked about growing and picking them in the garden. I love hearing the stories come full circle.”
MFCC is connecting with local producers and community members to bring fresh, local foods to students and families, too.* Fresh eggs from Four Feathers Farm in Essex and honey from Green Mountain Bee Farm in Fairfax have become staples at meal time, and the farmers are taking the opportunity to further the kids’ connection to the food with classroom visits. “Candice of Four Feathers Farm brought some of her chickens to our garden space,” shares Brenda, “and I plan on having a beekeeper visit this spring.”
A community supported agriculture (CSA) share from the Intervale Community Farm in Burlington is also filling the plates and bellies of Brenda’s students. “Sometimes I bring the CSA bags in and let the kids unpack it and investigate the items before washing them for a taste test or cooking project,'' she explains. “At this age they love holding and looking at the squash before we cut it open and take out the seeds. It is a joy to watch them engage with new foods.”
Additionally, MFCC works with Healthy Roots and has built relationships with local gardeners who contribute to the self-serve area of the organization’s Food Shelf. “Throughout my years working in food access,” Brenda shares, “I have always found that once you find a local farmer to connect with for a specific need, they are always willing to share or help in any way they can.”
*Funding, in part, for local purchasing and farm to school programming at MFCC is supported through The Vermont Foodbank's Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant, The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Community Supported Agriculture Grant, and The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Farm to School and Early Childhood Grant.
Photos courtesy of Milton Family Community Center.
Read more stories from the This Farm Feeds Vermont Kids Project: Alburgh Community Education Center and Darby Farm and Laura Butler and Blue Heron Farm in Milton.
