top of page
Rasberries

​

Marin Farm to Early Care and Education                  

            Growing Healthy Kids and Communities 

​

WHAT IS FARM TO EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION?

Farm to early care and education focuses on buying and using fresh and local food

in your early child care program as well as introducing fun activities around nutrition and gardening.

​

WHY FARM TO EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION?

Helps encourage healthy eating habits.

Provides education and engagement with children, teachers and families.

Builds community connections.

Supports local farmers.

Increases fresh and local food on menus.

​

​

​

​

​

      FARM TO EARLY CHILHOOD PROGRAM

 

STEP BY STEP

1. GET STARTED     

  • Learn about seasonal food and growing seasons

  • Finds ways to incorporate local foods into your menus and learn new recipes                       

2. BUILDING CONNECTION AND     COMMUNITY     

  • Connect with locals farms and vendors

  • Build a farm to the early education team and connect with other organizations for support                      

3. CHOOSE PRODUCTS AND             VENDORS TO WORK WITH   

  • Ask vendors about their product availability, growing practices and prices.     

4. PURCHASE LOCAL FOOD   

  • Create activities, taste test and enjoyment around local food

LOCAL PURCHASING OPTIONS                                                   AND RESOURCES                                         

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES 

 

  • Purchase from local farmers markets or farm stands

  • Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and purchase weekly boxes.

  • Start a garden on site. Contact local master gardeners club, Food Corpse AmeriCorps vista or contact HEAL coordinator, Madelene McCann at madelene@mc3.org.

 

CHILD CARE CENTERS

 

  • Purchase directly from farmers

  • Find local and seasonal foods from specialty distributors or food hub learn more at FEED SONOMA

  • Ask your food service provider, for a list of local produce (if applicable)

DID YOU KNOW?

USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) funds can be used to purchase local foods. learn more at SONOMA4C.org

bottom of page