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Colorado Farm to School Updates
November 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is our sincere hope that you enjoy a delicious meal full of fresh (and perhaps local!) food for the holiday. This year, we are so thankful for the continued efforts to serve healthier school meals to kids in schools across the country. In September, the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and others called on Congress to reauthorize a strong Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Click here to read excerpts of their remarks, including the 5 myths about healthier schools meals addressed by Vilsack.
 

Happening Now

Colorado

FTS Curriculum Resources

The Colorado Farm to School Task Force's Curriculum Work Group compiled existing FTS curriculum resources for a variety of grade levels and topic areas. This spreadsheet is easily searchable and can help point you towards some great resources. If you have any updates or additions, please contact Sophie.
 

Colorado Produce!

Check out this video from the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. It's a great reminder to purchase Colorado Proud whenever possible.
 

Colorado FTS Task Force goes to Oak Creek!

The Colorado Farm to School Task Force headed to Oak Creek for its Quarterly Meeting on November 4th - check out our picture this month and this article in Steamboat Today for more about the meeting! A BIG thank you to our hosts and the South Routt community. If you'd like to join us for our next meeting, please feel free to contact us.
 

National

Healthier US Schools Challenge

The Healthier US School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms is an opportunity for schools enrolled in Team Nutrition to be recognized for having created healthier school environments through the promotion of nutrition and physical activity. Schools can apply here.


USDA Census Data shows benefits of FTS

We're not exactly surprised, but preliminary results of the USDA FTS census show benefits of FTS programs! For example, 75% respondents reported at least one of these positive outcomes thanks to FTS programs:
  • Reduced plate waste (17%)
  • Improved acceptance of the healthier school meals (28%)
  • Increased participation in school meals program (17%)
  • Lower school meal program costs (21%)
  • Increased support from parents and community members for the healthier school meals (39%)
If your district has not yet completed the census, USDA is still accepting surveys here


Inside School Food Episodes

Heritage Radio Network has four FTS episodes for listeners: sharing stories about urban NJ, tribal communities supplying their schools with bison from their herds, and examples of creative new strategies for procurement and promotion from Iowa and Wisconsin.


National Farm to Cafeteria Conference and RFPs

The 2016 theme for the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is: Moving Forward Together. It aims to lift up new and innovative partnerships to continue building momentum and ensure long-term sustainability in the movement. The conference will be in Madison, WI next June. Conference organizers have released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for conference workshops, posters and lightening talks. If you've got something you'd like to share, the RFP is open through December 4th.


Western SARE Grants 

The Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program has also released a call for proposals for Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grants for 2016. The submission deadline is Dec 2, 2015, 1:00 pm MST. 

Upcoming Events

11/18
Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council Meeting
10am-12pm, 1031 33rd St #100, Denver

12/9
Colorado FTS Task Force Core Team Meeting
9am-11am, online

12/16
Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council Meeting
10am-12pm, 1031 33rd St #100, Denver
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