Veggie fun box

From: Rhode Island Farm to School Time: 30 minutes + 1 hour prep Categories: Classroom, Farms + Gardens, Curriculum A “Veggie Box” contains a variety of local vegetables and a corresponding book. This preschool activity allows kids to explore and enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables, connect with local growers, “play” with their food, and share lessons with their families.   ingredients

• 1 educator (Farm to School educator, parent, farmer, or volunteer)

• 1 preschool with enthusiastic staff • 1 veggie box (or CSA share) • 30 minutes of classroom time • 1 good veggie book (Vegetable Friends by

Bruce Kociemba, Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens, or Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert)

• A knife, cutting mat, box of gloves, and package of napkins

steps

step 1: plan your program. Engage a preschool in your community and schedule a time and day for a Veggie Fun Box program. Find a local CSA that will deliver to the school that day, or arrange pickup or delivery through a parent or volunteer.

step 2: prepare your box. Prepare tiny tastes of two items from the Veggie Box (consider food safety!). Include something familiar, like apples or carrots, and something new. Cut various shapes of different colors of produce to encourage discussion and engage non-tasters while others are tasting. Pack your box with samples, napkins, gloves and a good storybook. step 3: go to class. Arrive at the school early to get settled and say “hi” to the director and teachers. Set up your box and supplies and have children wash their hands. Introduce yourself and your program; be clear about what you will do and what is expected of the kids.

 

 

Veggie fun box, cont.

From: Rhode Island Farm to School Time: 30 minutes + 1 hour prep Categories: Classroom, Farms + Gardens, Curriculum steps, cont.

step 1: read, taste and explore. Read the storybook and answer questions. Pass around the veggies, allowing students to feel, smell, break apart and otherwise explore. Offer tastes, but stress that no one has to taste anything. Try “1, 2, 3, taste together!” or “mouse bites.” Discuss the veggies: “Has anyone ever tasted ____?” “Why are _____ good for us?” “What do vitamins do?” Enjoy some physical activity, such as pretending to pick apples or pull carrots or dig potatoes.

step 2: share and repeat! Encourage students to tell their families about a vegetable, take home samples, or distribute a recipe card or activity to share. Return and repeat the program monthly at the preschool, or as appropriate.

outcomes • Students learn about different fruits and vegetables that grow in their community • Students taste, touch, smell and explore different fruits and vegetables • Students understand that fruits and vegetables have vitamins and help us stay

healthy • Students move their bodies and use their imaginations while thinking about fruits

and vegetables • Students learn about local farms, CSAs and how to support them

variations: This program could be presented in a kindergarten or first grade in the same was as in a preschool. A farm with a CSA could use this as a promotional strategy, offering programs to preschools that sign up a certain number of members. Learn more: www.farmfreshri.org/about/schools

 

From: Bethel Revitalization Initiative Time: 4 hours Categories: Community, Farms + Gardens, Projects + Activities, Food Access Students and community volunteers created a new edible garden in a vacant lot downtown. Now anyone walking by can enjoy healthy veggies, a great view and a place to gather and sit! ingredients

• 10 volunteers • 4 hours • Rakes, clippers, shovels, hoes • 50 pounds of compost • Seedlings

steps

STEP 1 : Make a plan. Identify a site and get permission to use it. Scope out the site and think about soil needs, sunlight, and what will grow. Put together a team and decide what you want to plant, how it will be used, supplies you need, and who will take care of the garden after it is planted.

STEP 2: Get organized. Find volunteers and get your tools and supplies organized. Pick a date and time and reach out to volunteers.

STEP 3: Prepare the site. Remove existing vegetation, trash, brush and anything in the way. Rake it, loosen soil, and mix in compost. Lay out rows or plots for your plants.

STEP 4: Plant, tend and enjoy! Plant seedlings or seeds, water and cover them, and return to care for the garden as needed. Take pictures and celebrate your work!

outcomes

• A blighted downtown lot is now a vibrant garden • Students built relationships with community members • Pedestrians learn about gardening and can taste healthy veggies

variations: Take it one step further by having an art class make signs or having science classes research the best plants to put in, given space and light. Engage farmers in donating plants, and engage downtown restaurants in using some of the produce or adding to a compost bin in the garden. learn more: www.bethelpocketgarden.org

Downtown pocket garden