Harvest of the Month & More

Food Connects is very exicted to be working with our partner organizations, Green Mountain Farm to School and Upper Valley Farm to School on the Harvest of the Month Project, also known lovingly as “HOM”.

Get involved:
Sign the HOM pledge (coming soon!)
Please sign up to receive our monthly newsletter.
Visit the website to view or download the FREE resources: www.VermontHarvestoftheMonth.org

More about the Vermont Harvest of the Month Campaign:
Vermont Harvest of the Month (HOM) provides ready-to-go tools and resources to promote local, seasonal Vermont foods. HOM provides the opportunity for collaboration among educators, food serve staff, school administrators, students, parents, and retail outlets — all of whom are striving toward promote healthy food choices.

HOM features 4 key monthly elements:

• Cafeteria newsletter: provides recipes, menu inserts, farm profiles, and ideas for integrating local food into the school meal program.
  
• Educator newsletter: provides hands-on activities, lessons, tools, and ideas for integrating food, health, and nutrition education into the full curriculum.
  
• Family newsletter: reinforces what kids learn in the classroom and provides parents with nutrition information, healthy eating tips, recipes, and tips for selecting, storing, and serving the local food.
  
• Retail store packet: extends the school message to the community with recipes, tips for promoting local food purchasing, and store display ideas.
  

Additional resources to help implement the HOM include: monthly posters, “we’re growing for the local school” farm signs, and a program manual with step-by-step instructions and strategies for implementation and collaboration.

Check out these great (& educational) videos from our partners at Upper Valley Farm to School!

FABULOUS RESOURCE!!!Click here to check out the Rutland Area Everyday Chef: Cooking with Color! This is a project of one of our state partners, the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link. RAFFL educates the Rutland, Vermont community on how to cook with and enjoy healthy and local foods grown and raised throughout the region. Find great tips and techniques for preparing local foods, delicious, recipes, and much much more!

Resources for Elementary School Students

• • Classroom Activity: Plant Parts We Eat
  • Classroom Activity: Agriculture is a Cycle
  • Index of of Ag-Related Books in the Classroom
  • Index of Songs & Poems about Agriculture
  • Fruit & Veggie Games

Looking for information on other vegetables and fruit?Explore the following links for more great resources:Vegetable & Fruit GuidesArchive of Activities, Skits, Newsletters, and More