Information for Parents

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 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. 

Resources for Parents

• Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings Parent Resources
• Tips on how to help your preschoolers eat healthy and move more
• NYS Child Care Assistance Program
• Fill out the eligibility questionnaire to find out if you qualify!
• Childcare search tool
• Hunger Solutions NY WIC resources
• Includes outreach resources and QR code for Wanda – a virtual assistant that helps learn about WIC, determine WIC eligibility and make referrals to local agencies to get signed up. Available in English and Spanish.

Get Involved!

As we develop this program, we want to hear your input. If you are a parent, student, early childhood educator, or farmer, please feel free to reach out!

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