Farm to Early Care and Education

For over 10 years, the Food and Health Network has connected K-12 students and local food producers through the Farm to School program. We are excited to expand these efforts to our littlest learners in Delaware County with the Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) initiative!

Farm to Early Care is a win for children, farmers, and communities! Our program works to increase the use of local food and integrate food and agriculture education in child care settings. The three core components of Farm to ECE are nutrition and agriculture education, buying and serving local foods and gardens. 

We do this through local food procurement, working with farm and food businesses to strengthen the regional food system, taste tests, designing local food menus, school and community gardens, building capacity through direct consultation services, and fostering connections with organizations and communities in the region. 

• NFSN Farm to ECE Landing Page 
• 2021 National survey, shared metrics, webinar archive, getting started resources

Why Farm to ECE?

• For providers 
• Around 12 million children under five received care outside of their home in 2019 
• Through Farm to ECE, these children can learn where food comes from and improve their nutrition through increased fruit and vegetable consumption
• Helps providers meet meal pattern requirements 
• Improves quality system ratings and alignment with learning standards 
• Supports experiential learning opportunities 
• Positively influences food preferences and willingness to try new foods
• Encourages family involvement 
• For food systems practitioners 
• Increases access to healthy foods 
• Increases community consumption of local foods 
• Provides new market opportunities for local and regional farmers and suppliers 
• Stimulates the economy and creates more food systems jobs 
• FTECE can align with SNAP-Ed goals 

Get Involved!

As we develop this program, we want YOUR input! If you are a parent, student, early childhood educator, or farmer, reach out to us to join the Farm to EC team!

Contact: Kevin Davidson, Farm to EC Coordinator, kdavidson@rhnscny.org