Increasing access to food for students and families

In the last few years, Kindle Farm has developed a food committee of staff members that work to increase access to food for our students and families both inside and outside of the school day. This work includes organizing food bag deliveries to our families throughout the year utilizing the Vermont Food Bank. These efforts also involve creating afternoon activities for students, emphasizing healthy food choices, and developing their cooking skills.

At the start of this school year, students were enthusiastic and excited to rejoin as a robust and resilient community. We introduced students to local farm stands, apple orchards, and nearby Co-ops throughout the first quarter. During afternoon activities, we used Grant money from Vermonters Feeding Vermonters to purchase and source locally grown produce, fruit, meat, eggs, and dairy to prepare nourishing snacks; these items supported Vermont agriculture and farms directly. We also brought students back into the kitchen to participate in our Snack Attack program, where students plan and prepare healthy snacks for their community for every day of the week.

As we go forward, we will continue to unify the efforts of our community that is working in our gardens, kitchen, and classrooms. This will be reflected in the syncing of our seed purchasing /growing our rotational lunch menu, the offering of culinary classes that give students access to cooking meals for their families, and developing a document that can connect our families to local food resources in their communities.

We are excited about these efforts. We look forward to the continued education, advocacy, and hands-on participation in supporting our students and families' awareness of healthy food choices, growing and cooking skills, and access to food security.

Drew Gradinger
Director ~ Kindle Farm School