September Farm to ECE: Take a Trip to the Farmers Market!
One thing I love about Farm to ECE is that we can take learning beyond the classroom. A trip to the farmers market can be a BIG experience for little learners.
All Alabama Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition programs are empowered to successfully source healthy local foods, build gardens, and offer food and agriculture activities that enrich the quality of early learning experiences for children and support the Alabama food economy.
One thing I love about Farm to ECE is that we can take learning beyond the classroom. A trip to the farmers market can be a BIG experience for little learners.
September is one of my favorite times to work with children around food and farming because we get to experience a little bit of two seasons at the same time. Here in Alabama, September may be on the calendar saying fall is coming, but our gardens are often still saying SUMMER!
As a mom, developmental specialist, and nutrition educator working with early childhood programs across the state of Alabama, I spend a lot of time talking about the importance of exposing children to healthy foods, creating positive mealtime experiences, and giving children opportunities to learn where their food comes from. This year, my family had the chance to put many of those ideas into practice in our own kitchen.
The Alabama Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition enriches early learning experiences by fostering the implementation of gardens, food education, and farm education activities. The Coalition also works to provide access to healthy foods by supporting local economies and purchasing locally.
The Coalition focuses providing opportunities that consider populations with varying socioeconomic statuses, abilities, and backgrounds.
Coalition members engage different sectors throughout the state to work together to address barriers faced by child care providers in Alabama.
The Farm to ECE Coalition seeks input and guidance from the individuals and groups directly affected by their work.
By utilizing a strengths-based approach, the Coalition keeps the needs and assets of community members a priority when making recommendations and thinking through solutions.
Members of the Coalition will strive to be transparent and communicate clearly about their work with the populations and communities they impact.
The Alabama Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition core values are a vital component of the Coalition’s work. By rooting their work in these core values, the Coalition strives to bring education and resources to every table in the child care field.
