The Solution: From the Garden to the Table

A Complete Health Education Program for Schools and Communities

From the Garden to the Table uses a "full circle" approach to create a healthier and supportive environment and an array of programs for youth, teachers, parents, and communities.

Starting With a Healthier and Supportive Environment.

The University of California at Berkeley states we must make a concerted effort to create an environment that promotes an active lifestyle and healthful food choices in order to reduce the rates of increasing obesity and health problems among children and adults.

In FGTT, the teaching kitchen is built from green, sustainable materials. It provides a clean, safe place for students, teachers, and parents to taste, explore, discover, and practice a cleaner, fresher approach to eating and being more active. Teachers, parents, and administrators get involved in modeling, teaching, learning, and implementing healthy eating and physical activity practices. FGTT addresses policy development to reduce the use of candy, sodas, and low-nutrient foods as classroom rewards and school or club fundraisers. School meals are designed to indulge the senses with fresh, organically grown breakfasts, lunches and after-school snacks. The lunchroom and classrooms feature a "new media" of art, posters, and murals reinforcing the message of healthy enjoyment of physical activity, fresh food, fruits, and vegetables.

From the Garden to the Table creates and sustains a healthier school and community.

• FGTT designs and oversees construction of a natural and sustainable instructional kitchen including a computer lab and an organic garden.
• FGTT develops a meal program that includes, breakfast, lunch and after-school snack. All meals will emphasize fresh and organic ingredients.
• FGTT teaches after-school culinary arts and physical development programs that develop healthy life-style and career skills in nutrition, food preparation, service and safety.
• FGTT promotes visibility and sustainability of the program through annual fundraising events featuring celebrity chefs, artists, and musicians.
• FGTT organizes and conducts a weekly community farmer's market.
• FGTT support environmentally sustainable practices through initiating recycling and composting programs, promoting use of locally, organically grown foods, and education of families and community about sustainable packaging and products.

© Copyright 2005 From the Garden to the Table