April 2024
Hello Farm to Fork Friends!
Â
As spring unfolds, we're excited to see youth begin connecting with fresh, local produce and immersive garden experiences. This April, we're especially excited to launch our inaugural event, "Raising the Steaks," a month-long celebration honoring Utah's dedicated meat producers, both in the classroom and cafeteria. Â
Register your classroom or group today to receive our Toolkit, full of engaging activities and nutritious recipes developed for the cafeteria.
Raising the Steaks
Raising the Steaks isn't just for steak. . . or hamburger, or chicken. It's a celebration of all the amazing meat products we raise and eat here in Utah.
Â
Begins April 1st!
Movement Building Nights
Â
Join the movement and register for your region today!
Â
March Workshops:
Northern Utah Region - March 19
Uinta Basin Region - March 26
Â
Have suggestions for your region? We want to hear from you!
What to Harvest This Month
As the weather warms up, the anticipation for gardening season builds! Unsure of what to plant this year? Explore the USU Extension's fact sheets featuring over 55 varieties of vegetables and herbs!
Get Involved!
Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act (H.R. 7748) -Â Introduced on March 20, this Act will establish a USDA grant program to expand the practice of scratch cooking in schools. Specifically, it would allocate $100 million over 5 years for grants to schools interested in transitioning to scratch cooking. Grants would total $200k to selected recipients over 2 years. These funds can be used to support scratch cooking through:
Professional development
Purchasing cafeteria equipment
Providing employee compensation
Providing necessary technical assistance, pupil engagement and education
Â
Resources and Trainings
Nourishing Minds: Exploring Child Nutrition Policy in School Food Systems | April 4th | 12 PM MT | Webinar
Hosted by the Chef Ann Foundation, delve into the landscape of child nutrition policy in school food systems. We’ll examine the impact of current policies, related challenges, and strategies to enhance child nutrition in schools. Register today!
Join the Kid’s Garden Community! This online network provides an excellent platform to remain informed about funding opportunities, resources, and upcoming events in the realm of youth gardening. Join today!
Food Justice
Nourishing Minds: Exploring Child Nutrition Policy in School Food Systems | April 4th | 12 PM MT | Webinar
Hosted by the Chef Ann Foundation, delve into the landscape of child nutrition policy in school food systems. We’ll examine the impact of current policies, related challenges, and strategies to enhance child nutrition in schools. Register today!
Join the Kid’s Garden Community! This online network provides an excellent platform to remain informed about funding opportunities, resources, and upcoming events in the realm of youth gardening. Join today!
Job Opportunities
Job Training Program Case Manager | Wasatch Community Gardens | Apply today!
The Case Manager is responsible for supporting the Job Training Program Director in effective implementation of program and participant goals, primarily through case management, advocacy, and continuum of care while practicing trauma-informed care and maintaining a psychologically-informed work environment.
Do you have a farm to fork job opportunity you'd like us to share? Let us know! Jobs must be located in Utah or fully remote.
Funding Opportunities
CACFP Savings with Gerber
At Gerber, they recognize the important work of child care providers. Gerber is committed to being your partner by providing high quality, nutritious foods that meet the CACFP meal patterns. Join Gerber's child care network and get access to discounted products, their Gerber cycle menu and a few other surprises.
Â
Newman’s Own Food Justice for Kids Prize now open! | Due June 11 | Apply today!
Is your organization working towards food justice for kids? If so, this is your chance to receive up to $100,000 in grant funding over the next 2 years and deepen your impact! They’re seeking applications from organizations working in two priority program areas: (1) Indigenous Food Justice and (2) Nutrition Education and School Food Â
No Kid Hungry Grants | Due May 15 |Â Complete an interest form today!
No Kid Hungry is offering grants to summer meal sponsors to ensure more kids in rural communities can access healthy meals in 2024. A new provision of the federal Summer Meals programs allows non-congregate feeding options such as grab-and-go, mobile meals or home delivery in qualifying rural communities. Funds are intended to support the implementation of non-congregate summer meal programs. Send all questions to Kristen Dunphey at kdunphey@strength.orgÂ
National Agriculture in the Classroom - Conference Scholarships
This year's National Agriculture in the Classroom conference will be held June 25-27 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is an opportunity for educators from across the country to come together to not only experience agriculture within the host state, but to learn more about how to integrate agriculture into the core curriculum of their classroom
Â
There are multiple scholarships available to attend. Learn more here!
You'll hear from us again next month. In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you!