Publish at November 18 2019 Updated May 30 2023
The issue of sustainable development is largely based on the idea that our consumption habits need to change. Already, they should be less than at present, based on an approach favoring recycling or composting, and ideally local. While transport enables goods to be shipped around the planet, it also consumes fuels that emit carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. So, local consumption reduces this effect.
A vision gradually adopted by the general population and particularly the school environment. Indeed, in the United States, a model has emerged to encourage regional farms to source their food.
In the mid-90s, a few American schools began the "Farm-to-school". The idea was first and foremost to make food distribution tangible for students. Indeed, how many of them really knew the origin of the sweet potatoes, carrots or even pork chops served in the cafeteria? Very few. The often more urban environment gives the impression of a blurred, almost magical food chain.
Or, the movement has really taken off since the early 2010s. A more global desire to consume local and choose less processed foods has prompted thousands of establishments in the United States to go off on the tangent. This has also inspired Canadian schools to do the same; the initiative, however, is currently nascent in provinces such as British Columbia and Quebec.
Of course, such a system required thinking up a new infrastructure. In Vermont, distribution centers had to be created, as schools couldn't constantly adapt to the schedules of twenty different agricultural producers. Nevertheless, this local approach is a win-win situation. For the farmers, these are local buyers who require far fewer transportation costs. Schools, for their part, can monitor and ensure quality products. Last but not least, students get much more nutritious fruit and vegetables, since they're fresher and don't lose any of their vitamins, among other things. In fact, this winning approach has all these groups lobbying politicians for a little more money to multiply the number of schools involved. In Minnesota, they're counting on the fact that this initiative isn't divisive to win support from the state's Democrats and Republicans.
But the "Farm-to-school" is intended to be more than just an opportunity to eat produce from local farms. It also has an educational purpose. Indeed, it is often accompanied by cooking and growing activities. Establishments are setting up gardens to help children understand the principle of vegetable gardens and tackle questions of Life and Earth Sciences. It's an activity that interests them, as it's more physical and concrete. What's more, some see ideas for other classes in these gardens. Why not take advantage, for example, to have them draw a picture of a vegetable in the process of growing?
The educational potential is therefore manifold. In one Quebec school,children are invited to pedal to mix sunflower micropods grown in the classroom, soy milk and blueberries to make a shake they can drink after their efforts. In the end, these initiatives also aim to create cohorts that will be sensitive to local agriculture and consumption. Some may even develop a taste for owning farmland. And what if this farm-to-school approach formed an organic generation?
Illustration: Aline Ponce from Pixabay
References
Cameron, Daphné, and François Roy. "Manger Local: De La Ferme à L'école." La Presse. Last updated: May 11, 2019.
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/education/201905/11/01-5225684-manger-local-de-la-ferme-a-lecole.php
"Farm to School." Action for Healthy Kids. Last updated: May 20, 2019.
https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/activity/farm-to-school/
Gingerella, Benita. "Growing a Farm-to-school Program." FoodService Director. Last updated January 16, 2019.
https://www.foodservicedirector.com/operations/growing-farm-school-program
Gonzalez, Mario. "Farm to School Initiative is Win-win-win for Students, Farmers, Community." Press Gazette Media. Last updated October 10, 2019.
https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/life/2019/10/10/farm-school-initiative-win-win-win-students-farmers-community-wello/3912503002/
Phaneuf, Taryn. "Farm-to-school Programs Have Been Good for Minnesota Farmers and Students Alike. Is It Time for the Minnesota Legislature to Cough Up Some Lunch Money?" MinnPost. Last updated November 20, 2018.
https://www.minnpost.com/community-sketchbook/2018/11/farm-to-school-programs-have-been-good-for-minnesota-farmers-and-students-alike-is-it-time-for-the-minnesota-legislature-to-cough-up-some-lunch-money/
"What is Farm to School?" Farm to School BC. Last updated October 22, 2015.
https://farmtoschoolbc.ca/about-us/what-is-farm-to-school/
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