Families, Farmers and Educators United for Healthy Child Development

A project funded through the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund

Through a two year grant, DCCDA is working to contribute to a more sustainable and comprehensive local food system. By beginning food education in the early years of development, our goal is to develop healthier relationships around food that will yield lifelong healthy eating habits.

Obesity is on the rise, and one in three children will have to cope with diabetes in their lifetime due to poor nutrition. With up to 80% of a young child’s nutrition coming from a childcare setting, healthy eating habits must be formed in early education, as well as at home. This program is designed to educate children in a comprehensive way about where their food comes from, which food choices are most nutritious, and how they can grow their own food. When children learn these basics at a young age they are more likely to make lifelong decisions that are not only healthy for their bodies, but also for the local economy and community.

Here are the main goals of the program:

• Access to local and nutritious food
• Building relationships with local farmers
• Facilitating family gardening
• Providing education for early childhood educators, families and children
• Contributing to a stronger local food system

These goals will be reached through:

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): early learning centers and enrolled families subscribe and receive a weekly bag of produce from local farmers
• Backyard and community gardens for children and families to participate in hands-on learning
• Local food curriculum: teaching the basics of healthy food through age appropriate activities
• Training staff, cooks and families to prepare healthy, local meals

Here’s how you can get involved!

If you are an Early Educator: Contact us to receive curriculum training and support, garden planning and upkeep, plan healthy menus, and possibly participate in a CSA

If you are a Business: Donate seeds, soil, transplants, garden tools, learning materials, funds for necessary materials; help support the continuation of this program into the future

If you are a Community Member: Volunteer to plan and implement gardens, serve as classroom curriculum support, help with our Fall Harvest Festival, work with us to plan for success!  

If you are a Community Group: Provide us with your expertise, host a workshop or training, send us feedback or ideas

To be successful, we must work together as a community. We invite collaboration and engagement in this process of growing healthy, happy and informed kids!

Check out our gardening video!

Thanks to:

Participating Local Farmers: Hoyland Family Farms, Pendletons’ Country Market, Wakarusa Valley Farms, Buller Family Farms, Mellowfields

Participating Early Learning Centers: Stepping Stones Childcare, Sunshine Acres Montessori Center, Building Blocks Daycare

Partnering Businesses: Home Depot, Earl May Seed & Nursery, Clinton Parkway Nursery & Garden Store, Howard Pine’s Garden Center & Green Houses, Sunrise Garden Center, Wal-Mart, Target, Westlake Ace Hardware

And to all of the family home providers who are gardening and learning with children and their families!

Support the cause by donating to this program: