Researchers from Furman University found that children were not able to identify where their food came from. Out of the 176 children surveyed, their ages between four and seven years old, nearly 20% identified common fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and apples, as being animal-based.
These results are likely due to the fact that most children do not see how food is grown or prepared, and therefore lack a fundamental sense of where their food comes from. It’s important for children to know where their food comes from, so they can make healthier food choices and become healthier adults.
Mississippi Farm to School Network, a community-focused nonprofit, seeks to do just that by working with schools and other centers of learning to give kids hands-on experience with growing food. The nonprofit also works to increase the amount of locally grown food available to school children by connecting local farmers to schools.
With support from the National Farm to School Network, Earth Island, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Mississippi Farm to School Network leads community projects, boost community engagement, and supports local efforts to connect schools, churches, and other centers of learning to local farmers.
In Mississippi, over 466,000 children participate in the National School Lunch Program, and many of them depend on school lunches for their daily meal. By increasing the amount of fresh food these students have access to, Mississippi Farm to School Network is helping boost health outcomes across the state.
“Community is always first and foremost the driver for me,” said Co-Director of MSFSN Umi Mills in an interview, “I am focused on doing what I think my community needs…I want to increase the connection families have with their food and healthy living. I want to focus on the wellness of our youth and really drive community wellness.”
Initiatives like Mississippi Farm to School Network show how impactful community engagement can be in creating healthier outcomes and improving our state’s health. Click here to learn more about Mississippi Farm to School Network. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates on their work!
We love learning about new local efforts that improve our state’s health. If you have a success story–send it to us! Visit https://uprootms.org/contact to get started.