“School Gardens Lead to Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds”
Green Schools Conference
March 28, 2014
Sacramento, CA
Everyone has the own
definition of Slow Food:
For me it is:
1) A World Wide
Movement
2) Lifestyle choice
3) A shift in priorities
4) Leaders in local food
promotions
5) Non-profit network of
passionate people
With over 175 Chapters and 40 Campus Chapters, there
is a great opportunity for a national network of school
gardens:
1) Very passionate supporters
2) Pools of volunteers
3) Great networks for support
4) Excellent fundraisers
Our mission as an international grassroots membership
organization is Good, Clean and Fair food for all.
GOOD “Our food should be tasty, seasonal, local, fresh and
wholesome.”
CLEAN “Our food should nourish a healthful lifestyle and be
produced in ways that preserve biodiversity, sustain the
environment and ensure animal welfare without harming human
health.”
FAIR “Our food should be affordable by all, while respecting the
dignity of labor from field to fork.”
Our mission as an international grassroots membership
organization is Good, Clean and Fair food for all.
Ark of Taste
Slow Meat
National School Garden Program
American Bronze Turkey
Amish Pie Squash
Good: Whether an animal breed, baked treat, fruit, spice,
grain, or beverage, these foods are prized by those who eat
them for their special taste.
Clean: No engineered foods here. These foods are linked to
the place and the community that protects them. Everything
on the Ark of Taste has the potential to be grown, raised or
produced without harm to the environment.
Fair: No commercial or trademarked items are allowed on to
the Ark of Taste, only foods that anyone may champion,
produce, share or sell.
Good: A diversity of breeds that provide meat with
appropriate nutrients, enjoyed in proper proportions and
recognizing culturally different preparation methods.
Clean: Animals that are raised on pasture with minimal
confinement with proper use of land and water resources and
without antibiotics, hormones and chemicals. Safely
processed without any contamination. Appropriately labeled
packages with properly defined terms.
Fair: Humane treatment of animals and safe conditions for
workers. A food chain that provides a working business
model for committed producers and fair access to all
segments of the population.
Taste Education
Garden to Cafeteria
Scratch cooking
Local Produce
The transformation of School Food Culture reflects Slow
Food values of:
GOOD “Our food should be tasty, seasonal, local, fresh and
wholesome.” Examples:
1. Whole, raw, fresh, local produce- gardens and farms.
2. Scratch cooking in school kitchens.
3. Salad bars in schools serving seasonal items.
4. Taste education classes help students develop skills and
palates for fresh food.
Seed Starting
Spring Planting
The science of decay
No waste from the garden
The transformation of School Food Culture reflects Slow
Food values of:
CLEAN “Our food should nourish a healthful lifestyle and be
produced in ways that preserve biodiversity, sustain the environment and
ensure animal welfare without harming human health.”
1. Organic practices in school gardens and farms
2. Use of heirloom plants in gardens
3. Composting is a component of the garden and farm practices
Ready to sell!
Selling to the community
Grow a Row Programs
Community projects
The transformation of School Food Culture reflects Slow
Food values of:
FAIR “Our food should be affordable by all, while respecting the
dignity of labor from field to fork.”
1. All students benefit from the gardens and farms.
2. Local food purchases must fit in with the current food budget.
4. Markets reflect prices in the neighborhood.
5. The District pays the gardens for the fresh produce.
School Garden Guide
Best Practices
 Design & Build
 Volunteers
 Fundraising
 Curriculum
 Marketing
 Special Projects
 Policy
 Evaluation
Currently developing resources to build the capacity of
Chapters to increase their activity in school garden
projects:
1) Peer-to-Peer learning
2) Technical assistance for special projects
3) Training workshops and webinars
4) Grant support for garden projects
5) Formation of strategic partnerships
“School Gardens Lead to Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds”
Green Schools Conference
March 28, 2014
Sacramento, CA