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Our Garden is Growing!
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Throughout the pandemic, NBCC has been working hard to continue bringing an educational model of holistic health to hundreds of preschoolers across the North Bay through the Garden of Eatin’® Living Curriculum. This year the program hit a new and exciting milestone; the curriculum is now licensed for sale to other childcare providers! Our first program partner, Easterseals Ventura, joined us in February of 2021, and we are excited to announce that, as of this fall, Community Action Marin is our newest Garden of Eatin’® Living Curriculum partner program! Between these two partnerships, our award-winning garden program now reaches an additional 1,800 children outside of NBCC classrooms.
HISTORY OF THE GARDEN OF EATIN'®
In the early 2000’s, the Center for Disease Control released alarming statistics about the rising trend in childhood obesity and the long-term health problems associated with poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Soon after, NBCC decided to make changes to its own meal service program and set out to create a program that would facilitate opportunities to teach children where their food comes from and educate their families about the importance of healthy eating.
This led to the creation of the Garden of Eatin’® Living Curriculum, which links health and wellness to daily classroom activities and has been recognized on a national and local level as a project of exceptional community value, especially for vulnerable children who are at higher risk for obesity related illnesses. In the 15 years since its inception, the program has expanded to include gardens at all 15 NBCC center sites, received a Jefferson Award for its role in child obesity prevention, and was part of a UCSF study that was written up in the American Journal for Public Health on the program’s impact on family food choices.
In 2021, programs like the Garden of Eatin’® are more important than ever before. Many children and families have found themselves cooped up indoors for the past 18 months, and doctors and clinics nationwide are reporting an alarming increase in childhood obesity linked to the pandemic. Nutrition Education programs like the Garden of Eatin’® are instrumental in reducing the impact of childhood obesity and instilling healthy habits in young children from the very beginning of their lives.
Click here to learn more about the Garden of Eatin'®.
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Music is one of the most fun ways to learn! The song “What’s In the Garden” is a great way to start a conversation with your child about where food comes from and how we get it. Download the song sheet here.
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Enjoy a Garden Plot Pizza with your choice of ingredients, preferably straight from the garden! Click here for the recipe.
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We want to hear from you:
Stay in touch with NBCC and help community support for our youngest learners grow:
It's vital we provide continued care to North Bay children, and we can't do it without you!
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