“School Gardens Lead to Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds”

Green Schools Conference

March 28, 2014

Sacramento, CA

Slow Food’s Good, Clean & Fair: Transformation of School Food Culture

Through Gardens , Cafeterias and Farms

Andrew NowakSlow Food USA

Everyone has the own definition of Slow Food:

For me it is:1) A World Wide

Movement2) Lifestyle choice3) A shift in priorities4) Leaders in local

food promotions5) Non-profit network

of passionate people

What is Slow Food?

Slow Food USA: Chapters

With over 175 Chapters and 40 Campus Chapters, there is a great opportunity for a national network of school gardens:

1) Very passionate supporters2) Pools of volunteers3) Great networks for support4) Excellent fundraisers

Slow Food USA: Network of Chapters

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.”

Slow Food USA: Our Mission

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

Slow Food USA: 2014 Projects

American Bronze Turkey

Slow Food USA: Ark of Taste

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.

Slow Food USA: Ark of Taste

Slow Food USA: Slow Meat

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.

Slow Food USA: Slow Meat

Slow Food USA: School Projects

Taste Education

GOOD: School Gardens

Garden to Cafeteria

Scratch cooking

GOOD: School Food

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.

Slow Food USA: School Food Culture

Seed Starting

CLEAN: School Gardens

Spring Planting

The science of decay

CLEAN: CompostingNo 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

Slow Food USA: School Food Culture

Ready to sell!

FAIR: Youth Farmers’ MarketsSelling to the community

Grow a Row Programs

FAIR: Produce for Pantries

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.

Slow Food USA: School Food Culture

School Garden Guide

National School Garden Program

Best PracticesDesign & BuildVolunteersFundraisingCurriculumMarketingSpecial ProjectsPolicyEvaluation

Currently developing resources to build the capacity of Chapters to increase their activity in school garden projects:

1) Peer-to-Peer learning2) Technical assistance for special projects3) Training workshops and webinars4) Grant support for garden projects5) Formation of strategic partnerships

National School Garden Program

“School Gardens Lead to Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds”

Green Schools Conference

March 28, 2014

Sacramento, CA

Slow Food’s Good, Clean & Fair: Transformation of School Food Culture

Through Gardens , Cafeterias and Farms

Andrew NowakSlow Food USA