California Resources & Publications
How to Get Started
Gardens for Learning: Creating and Sustaining Your School Gardenby California School Garden Network
A comprehensive instructional resource for teachers, parents and schools interested in garden-based learning. This book was developed by the California School Garden Network (CGSN), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and sustain California gardens to enhance academic achievement, a healthy lifestyle, environmental stewardship, community and social development.
Curricular Resources
Nutrition Education and Farm to School Programs: A Case Study Reportby Raea Vogt, PhD June 2007
The purpose of this report is to highlight promising strategies for incorporating nutrition education into farm to school programs for the community of interested people and organizations committed to improving child health through school-based, education-oriented initiatives. The primary focus is educational strategies designed to influence students’ knowledge, attitudes, skills and, ultimately, behaviors which can support overall farm to school goals and success.
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Science Exploration Units
by Life Lab Science Program Life Lab Science Program January 2007
Activity guides for garden-based exploration, K-5 grades
The San Francisco Farm-to-School Report: Results from the 2003 Feasibility Study
by Rimkus, Rimkus, Paula Jones, and Fernando Ona San Francisco Food Systems January 2004
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Orange County menu of Options
by Vanessa Zajfen May 2008
The following are new farm to school programming opportunities for Orange County. The farm to school programs suggested below have been specifically created for Orange County schools based on the local farm resources.
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Food Access & Distribution Solutions: 5 Strategies for Southern California
by Vanessa Zajfen March 2008
Based on the report Fresh Food Distribution Models for the Greater Los Angeles Region: Barriers and Opportunities to Facilitate and Scale Up the Distribution of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, The Center for Food & Justice has developed 5 strategies which attempt to address some fundamental and basic issues with the distribution of locally grown foods. CFJ will be working throughout the next few years to assist project partners and other organizations to implement these strategies in the Southern California region.
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Harvest Health-San Diego
by Vanessa Zajfen A Farm to School Menu of Options for San Diego June 2009
Other Resources
Resources for Farm to School Championsby Center for Food & Justice September 2007
This Farm to School resource primer is a great one-pager linking you to materials and organizations that can help you implement and sustain your farm to school program.
Buying & Selling Local Foods
Fresh Food Distribution Models for the Greater Los Angeles Region: Barriers and Opportunities to Facby Vanessa Zajfen Report March 2008
The Center for Food & Justice has released the findings from a year-long planning grant titled Fresh Food Distribution Models for the Greater Los Angeles Region: Barriers and Opportunities to Facilitate and Scale Up the Distribution of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
The California Endowment funded CFJ for a year long planning grant to explore the most effective strategies and opportunities to scale up the distribution of locally grown fruits and vegetables in Southern California. Our work sought to identify solutions to barriers that have prevented more institutions from buying local and supporting local agriculture. Based on the project findings CFJ has developed multiple strategies to overcome identified barriers that will be undertaken by CFJ over the coming years. For a summary of the 5 distribution models that CFJ will be pursuing, please look for it under this section of publications.
Please contact Vanessa Zajfen with any questions, comments or concerns.
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Nourish California
by April 2011
Nourish California is a bold, new initiative designed to increase food literacy and build healthy schools and communities. Providing free educational resources (video, curriculum, website) for use in California’s schools, the nonprofit program supports educators in opening a meaningful conversation about food and sustainability. Nourish California’s vision is to build a statewide network of good food advocates and share innovative ideas and best practices. K-12 teachers, school administrators, farm to school and garden coordinators, food service staff, health professionals, and nonprofit support providers are invited to join the network and receive a free DVD and companion curriculum
Harvest Health-Los Angeles
by Vanessa Zajfen A Farm to School Menu of Options- Los Angeles May 2009
Harvest of the Month
by Network for a Healthy California Harvest of the Month Elements November 2011
Harvest of the Month provides materials and resources to support healthy food choices through increased access and consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as encourage daily physical activity. It uniquely supports core curricular areas through exploration and study. Harvest of the Month presents a strategic opportunity to bring together the classroom, cafeteria, home and community to promote a common goal and healthier habits for students, especially those in low resource schools.
Let's Move Cities and Towns: Toolkit for Local Officials
by March 2011
Developed by Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, this toolkit encourages mayors and elected officials to take leadership in developing a long-term, sustainable and holistic approach to fighting childhood obesity in cities and towns across the United States.