4310.0 Connecting Farmers to Consumers of All Ages

Tuesday, October 30, 2012: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Oral
Each year, institutions spend billions of dollars on food for students, employees, and other populations. Efforts are needed to improve the quality of the food provided in these institutions and to support local agriculture and local economies. The presenters in this session describe their experiences with efforts to increase local produce in schools and other institutions, including senior meal programs. Presenters discuss research assessing the interest in and readiness of students, producers, and institutional purchasers in implementing changes to standard food sourcing. Challenges of introducing local produce in schools and institutions, including problems with transportation and distribution, difficulty with establishing contracts with corporations, and lack of staff motivation, will be discussed. Potential solutions and lessons learned will also be discussed. All four presenters will demonstrate the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with growers and directors of institutions in order to increase the purchase and availability of fresh produce within these institutions.
Session Objectives: 1. Describe the importance of providing local farm produce in schools and other institutions; 2. Identify the challenges of providing locally grown foods in schools and other institutions; and 3. Demonstrate the importance of establishing innovative partnerships with institutional directors, farmers and local businesses.
Moderator:
Deirdra Chester, PhD, RD, LD/N

2:30pm
Getting fresh local produce to kids and seniors: Exceeding expectations with the Farm-to-Table Partnership in King County, WA
Maria Langlais, Adrienne Dorf, MPH, RD, CD, Laurie Ringaert, BSc, BMR-OT, MSc, Kirsten Wysen, MHSA and Natalie Thomson
3:10pm
Assessing student knowledge and attitudes regarding locally grown foods
Katherine J. Roberts, EdD, MPH, MCHES, Jacqueline Lawler, MPH, CPH and Danielle Moser, MEd
3:30pm
Farm to school pilot project in two school districts in San Mateo County, California
Jennifer Lynn Gross, MPH, Robin Galas, Diana Abellera, Karen Luna, Arlinda Marvan, Scott Morrow, MD, MPH and Wendy Weidan

See individual abstracts for presenting author's disclosure statement and author's information.

Organized by: Food and Nutrition
Endorsed by: Socialist Caucus, School Health Education and Services, Women's Caucus, Community Health Planning and Policy Development

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)

See more of: Food and Nutrition