Farm to School Spotlight: Melissa Aponte, Asheville YWCA

…I was trying to connect with local farmers, then COVID happened and that disappeared. I was so excited when I got the email from ASAP and was connected with Anna [Littman of Ivy Creek Family Farm]. It’s just been fantastic. By working with a farmer over time, seeing the farmer, you get that personal connection. They understand what you are cooking, for how many, and what are your future goals. You understand what they’ve planted when it’s going to…

Growing Minds Day by Day: Third Week of March

…greens, or cilantro.  Gather the children and walk through the spring “soon-to-be” garden. Ask them to identify which plants they will grow, what animals they will see, and what other types of plants will grow. Then, have them “practice” planting the garden using their invisible tools. Get creative and ask them to make up their own tool to use, then have them demonstrate it to the class. Make some garden-inspired art! Write poems or songs about sp…

Local Food in Schools

…hool systems, child care centers, and educational institutions located in ASAP’s 60-county Appalachian Grown region can create a free institutional listing in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide. Being listed in ASAP’s Local Food Guide will help you connect with local family farms who need buyers for their products, while also recognizing the important work your school is doing to support local food systems and connect children to local food and farms….

Farm to School Funding

…cal food. Some examples of equipment that could be purchased with this mini-grant include refrigerators, freezers, crockpots, pots and pans, cutting boards, and utensils/tools such as measuring cups and child-safe knives. If you need help connecting with a local food source, make sure to complete our Local Food Questionnaire as well. The amount awarded will be based on availability of funding, number of applicants, and the scope of your project. M…

Roots Garden Mini-Grants

…to a generous donation from Roots Organic Gourmet, ASAP is offering seven competitive mini-grants of up to $250 for school gardens for the 2012-2013 school year. Mini-grant recipients will be required to submit a brief written summary and provide at least five photographs of children in the garden (with parental permission) throughout the school year, no later than May 15, 2012. Recipients will receive half of their award up front, with the remai…

Downloads

Meet Your Farmer: The Liar’s Table

…tells the story of when Lulu’s mother’s van breaks down, money for food becomes tight, and the Hunger Monster comes into their lives. Only visible to Lulu, Hunger Monster is a troublemaker who makes it hard for her to concentrate in school. How will Lulu help her mom and defeat the Monster when Lulu has promised never to speak the monster’s name to anyone? This realistic—and hopeful—story of food insecurity builds awareness of the issue of childh…

Growing Minds Day by Day: Fourth Week of August

…ny and request one. A few great seed companies are: Johnny’s Select Seed: 1-877-564-6697, Territorial Seed: 1-800-626-0866, or Sow True Seed (based in Asheville): 828-254-0708 The growth of vegetables and weeds in your garden will slow down as temperatures begin to drop. This means you’ll be weeding and harvesting less frequently in the fall, but don’t stop tending your garden altogether. Many exciting things will continue taking place. Observing…

Growing Minds Day by Day: Second Week of July

…ter for a few seconds, then remove the paper cups and foil and enjoy! Build-Your-Own Salad with Blackberry Vinaigrette Serves 4-6 Ingredients: 1 head local lettuce 1/4 lb. local spinach  1-2 carrots, grated 2 local salad turnips 1/4 pint blackberries 1/4 cup olive oil 1 1/2  tsp. red wine vinegar 1-2 Tbsp. local honey 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper Directions: Wash, dry, and chop the lettuce, spinach, and turnips into bite-sized pieces. Divide lett…

Growing Minds Day by Day: First Week of July

…adult). Click here to view an illustrated version of this recipe, with step-by-step instructions in both English and Spanish.  Keep the summertime fun going by enjoying your cucumber short stacks outside at a teddy bear picnic! Consider making a batch of homemade lemonade for the picnic, adding fresh mint leaves or berries to the lemonade if you have them on hand in the garden or fridge. Finally, have your children grab a blanket and their favorit…

Growing Minds Day by Day: First Week of June

…ng Minds’ farm to school literature database to browse our collection of recommended books. Type “rocks” into the search bar to find books that align with this week’s theme.    Local Food Recipe: Before you prepare today’s recipe, watch this animated short of the classic fable, Stone Soup, retold by Heather Forest. In this story, two hungry travelers visit a village hoping to find a bite to eat, but are turned away at house after house. Using a li…

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