DC Public Schools

Project Description

At DC Public Schools, Project Produce grant funds were used to purchase produce and other whole ingredients that, in addition to what was harvested from the school garden, students used to scratch-cook nutritious, produce-based recipes during their FoodPrints sessions. FoodPrints is a program of FRESHFARM that provides gardening and nutrition programming for all students in the school. Each monthly FoodPrints session is an “in-school field trip” in which FoodPrints teachers plan and lead a hands-on, standards-based, age-appropriate lesson that includes gardening, cooking, nutrition and/or scientific content, and eating together.

Students at DC Public Schools also took home each recipe after their FoodPrints session to encourage families to make these foods at home. “We regularly hear from parents that students come home excited to try these recipes that they are now familiar with and that many recipes become part of families’ weekly menus,” says Director Mampara.

Successes

• Students find great joy in the gardening, cooking, and eating experiences
• Students expand their knowledge around environmental literacy and nutrition concepts including how to identify which foods are nutritious and benefits of eating certain foods

Challenges

• The short grant period was difficult to work within