AFSC's Great Carrot Crunch New Mexico / AFSC
The joy bubbles among us, despite our distance.
AFSC staff meet early each spring with the farmers who have helped us build our Farm to Preschool work. When we reimagine our food system, we envision small, local farms supplying nutritious produce to neighborhood schools. Several times a year, we bring that vision to life. We show that it is not only possible, but also fun and empowering.
Feeding these children with this land demonstrates how we can both strengthen our local "foodshed" and encourage healthy habits in young children who may be at risk of diabetes or obesity. “It's not the idealism of heroes, it's being good neighbors," says Mari Simbaña, clerk of the AFSC NM Program Area Committee "It's about having the same story and building it together.”
On March 31, eleven farmers from across the state met with AFSC virtually to discuss which crops they could grow for the Head Start programs, which serve low-income children. We reviewed the success of the Great Carrot Crunch and Cherry Tomato Chomp, then brainstormed other vegetables the children would enjoy, such as sweet peas. Chris Chavez of Casa Fresco Farms told the group that when his carrots went to kids, “It's such a great cause, I'm glad I could be a part of it.”
When we design our Farm to Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs, we center the voices of the farmers and ECE staff – those on the front lines of growing crops and “growing” children. The farmers belong to this community and are happy when their fresh, nutritious veggies feed the kids who need them most but whose families can’t afford it.
The ECE teachers and cooks tell us that the fun activities that AFSC provides, along with the freshly-harvested, tasty vegetables, make a difference in getting their students to eat healthy. By centering the voices of those on the front lines of this effort, we can also better plan for the logistics and needs of farms and preschools.
“Undramatic but consistent engagement is so important and a good feedback loop for all of us," says David Henkel, who also serves on the Program Area Committee. "Showing up over time, not beating anyone's chest in triumph, but just showing up is what builds community. It nurtures all of us.”