2024 Farm to ECE Report now avalible: The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), funded by W.K. Kellogg, published a report on using the Child and Adult Care Food Program to bolster Farm to ECE initiatives. "Leveraging CACFP for Farm to Early Care and Education" outlines barriers, recommended actions, and best practices for integrating CACFP into Farm to ECE activities. Read below for some ideas on how you too can "grow" your own farm to ECE activities.
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Let it Grow! Part 2
by Courtney Ramsey-Coleman
NCDHHS Healthy Eating and Nutrition Security Coordinator
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Last month we discussed starting seeds inside. Once the students have nurtured their seedlings successfully, the next step is transferring them to a larger garden, offering a deeper understanding of plant growth and instilling pride. As the seedlings grow into robust plants, the children can actively participate in caring for the garden by watering, weeding, and observing the changes in their plants over time.
When the time for harvest arrives, the children can experience the joy of picking the fruits or vegetables they helped grow, creating a tangible link between their efforts and the final result. This holistic approach not only teaches valuable lessons about plant life cycles but also imparts a deeper appreciation for the food we eat, instilling a lifelong love for gardening and the natural world. New to gardening with young children? Check out the resources from the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) website!
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Whip It Up!
by Marianne Lindgren & Willow Thomas
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If you’re looking for a new breakfast recipe, why not try this whole grain-rich Berry and Quinoa Breakfast Bake? The berries will add color and antioxidants, while the quinoa and oats supply energy for the body and brain. A great way to fuel up for a wonderful day of learning! As we move through spring and summer, try this recipe with different berries as they come in season.
Berry and Quinoa Breakfast Bake
Yield: 6 servings
Serving size for 3-5-year-olds: ½ cup
Ingredients:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- ¼ cup (1⅝ oz) quinoa, dry, rinsed
- ½ cup (1⅝ oz) oats, rolled, dry (not quick)
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar, packed
- ¼ tsp cinnamon, ground
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1¼ cups milk, low-fat (1%)
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups (13½ oz) blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, whole, frozen, unsweetened*
*This recipe can be prepared using fresh berries. Please keep in mind this may change the ingredient measurement. The Food Buying Guide and the NC Fresh Produce Purchasing and Prep Guides are great resources to help determine how much to purchase and serve.
Instructions:
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Preheat oven to 400 °F.
- Spray a loaf pan (8½" x 4½" x 2½") with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Pour mixture into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until quinoa is cooked. Heat to 140 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds.
- Remove from the oven and stir carefully. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve ½ cup. Serve immediately or keep warm at 140 °F or higher. To serve cold, keep at 40 °F or lower.
CACFP Crediting: ½ cup serving credits as ¼ cup fruit and ½ oz eq grains (whole grain-rich) in the CACFP
Please note, if serving this recipe for breakfast in the CACFP, the minimum serving requirements for children ages 3-5 for fruit, vegetable, or combination of both is ½ cup. To meet the CACFP meal pattern, an additional ¼ cup fruit, vegetable, or both must also be served.
Recipe Adapted from: Child Nutrition Recipe Box by Institute of Child Nutrition
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This Week in the Garden
@ Preschool
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See what's happening
preschool edition! |
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The NC Farm to Preschool Network connects, educates, develops and shares resources between community and state partners, farmers, early childhood educators and families to spark the local foods movement in early childhood education environments. |
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Lola Plants a Garden
by Anna McQuinn
Book-loving Lola is inspired by a collection of garden poems that she reads with her mommy. She wants to plant her own garden of beautiful flowers, so she and Mommy go to the library to check out books about gardening. They choose their flowers and buy their seeds. They dig and plant. And then they wait. Lola finds it hard to wait for her flowers to grow, but she spends the time creating her own flower book. Soon she has a garden full of sunflowers and invites all of her friends for cakes and punch and a story amongst the flowers. Watch a read aloud on YouTube.
My Garden Planning and Log Book: A children's prompt journal to record the planning, planting, growing and harvesting of a family garden
by Honeybee School Press
The book is formatted as a prompt journal and guides children through the various stages of gardening, from planning to harvesting. It offers ample space for kids to record their observations about the plants, the insects and animals that visit them, and the whole garden ecosystem. The journal encourages kids to observe, record (through writing and drawing), and analyse the natural world around them. Purchase on Amazon.
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Exciting news! The development of the North Carolina Farm to ECE Connections Map is underway! This map will be a valuable resource in connecting ECE sites with local farmers, promoting the use of locally sourced foods, building stronger connections, and contributing to the creation of healthier communities throughout North Carolina. Register here to add your site on the map today!
Edible Gardening in Childcare
by Maria Hitt, Director of Health Initiatives for Orange County Partnership for Young Children
Gardens are a key component of Farm to ECE! In this unit, participants will learn:
- Why we should garden in childcare and best practices.
- How to plan and start a childcare garden.
- What to plant when and which produce is easiest to grow.
- How to locate and recruit volunteers to help with garden projects.
Better Kid Care's On-Demand Distance Education system provides professional development online anytime you are ready to learn! Online courses are now fully optimized for mobile devices and tablets, with courses in English and Spanish. Courses can be used towards completing or renewing a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
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Kids Gardening is asking kids to share their favorite thing about gardening, or why kids should garden! Kids can win up to $500 for their youth garden! Learn more and enter here!
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