- Farm to PreSchool is a critical program in that these younger children need the best food possible since their overall health and attitudes about food established at this age tend to carry on throughout their lives.
- Improve children’s health now and throughout their lives by establishing healthy eating habits and a positive relationship with food at an early age: Farm to School Benefits Fact Sheet
- Incorporating both local food and garden education is encouraged by and reimbursable through CACFP: Local food in CACFP resources
How do I choose good food?
- Learn how to choose healthy, sustainable, local food: Choosing Good Food & Sustainable Food Choices tool
- Guidance for the CO CACFP Healthier Meals Initiative
How do I find local food?
- Go to the farmers market, join a CSA, or work with a local farmer.
- Ask your local grocery store.
- Ask your local K-12 about their local food sources.
- Check out our list of La Plata County local food sources.
- Grow your own in a preschool garden & reap the full benefits of Farm to Preschool!
- Learn more: Finding Local Food
How do I afford this?
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Don’t assume good food is more expensive, especially if you shop in bulk, avoid costly ultra-processed foods, and save shipping costs with local producers.
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CACFP funds can be used for both local food and edible garden supplies & grant opportunities exist (see more).
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Cheap food typically ignores the true cost of food:
- Medical costs from poor foods, social costs of low-paid workers, environmental costs of unsustainable foods, even ethical costs of inhumane treatment of animals and unfair employment practices. Pay now or pay later.
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When considering price, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples:
- Local vs distant with shipping
- Fast-food vs good whole food
- Ultraprocessed vs scratch
- Direct purchase vs grocery chain.
- Realize that good food shouldn’t be cheap!
- “…things can be affordable, but they can never be cheap, because, if they’re cheap, somebody’s missing out.” Alice Waters, NPR
We don’t have room for a garden!
- Ideas for Small Spaces and Small Gardeners
- Grow carrots in containers – you can grow more than you might expect.
- Visit a nearby community or school garden.
- More about preschool gardens.
