Somerville Farm to School Project

March is National Nutrition Month!  Each year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics develops new topics to celebrate National Nutrition Month. This year's theme, Put your best fork forward, encourages us to consider that every bite counts. Even "small shifts in our food choices, can add up over time." Here in Somerville we are celebrating National Nutrition Month in a few ways. ~ We are releasing Veggie of the Month kits in each school's library! The kits contain books, taste testing supplies, and a binder with lesson materials for each month!  ~ We are visiting a few PreK-2nd grade classes to "taste-test" the veggie of the month: leafy greens!  In the classroom, we are reading Sylvia's Spinach and making a simple salad dressing to drizzle over spinach! (Be sure to check back later for the results of our visits!)   ~  Our  Wellness Champions and Farm to School Staff are posting bulletin boards and fliers around the schools! ...

The Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) held a hands-on, multilingual, learning opportunity for parents and children at all elementary schools across the city. The focus of the program was Raising a Reader! And all of the activities focused on food - trying new foods, shopping for food, and, of course, reading about food!       Fresh farm-grown blueberries and strawberries were part of a tasting activity that led to participants graphing their preferences, creating a visual math activity.       Parents took home a Scavenger Hunt activity to bring to the grocery store to help children identify fruits and vegetables of different colors.       Books about growing, cooking and eating food were on display for children and families to look through.        SFLC staff handed out blank books entitled “My Favorite Foods” for children to write and draw in.     ...