This Action Guide was developed to serve as a resource to school
groups seeking to make food an integrated component of school education.
We have prepared a complete package of materials to assist you in
starting a food systems project at your school. You may view or print any of
these materials.
Also, for additional resources on how to make changes in your school food system, please go to the Center for Ecoliteracy's Rethinking School Lunch.
Many school communities are concerned with what children are eating and
with the staggering high rates of diabetes and obesity found among an today's
children. Starting a food systems project at your school can
address food issues, health concerns and serve as a wonderfully enriching component
of our childrens' education.
We recommend forming a School Nutrition Advisory Council (SNAC) to begin
discussing the values and needs of your school or district. A SNAC
would include as many key-decision makers as possible. This includes
parents, the school nurse, principal, food service director, school gardener,
business manager, teachers and students. Each of these individuals and
groups care about and have influence over the health and well being of our children,
and the quality and content of their education.
Project Survey
Salad bar at Healthy Food for Growing Kids Event 2002Photo by Leah Smith, Marin Food Systems Project
The Marin Food Systems Project is a project working to support schools in providing students with an understanding and positive experience of healthy food from the source. We support schools to integrate and implement:
We aim
- To help schools improve their food service to more adequately reflect and acknowledge the understanding that our bodies and minds are connected. In order to adequately nourish the mind, the body must be well nourished, including fresh fruits and vegetables, adequate protein, ample exercise, and clean water.
- To help schools bring healthier more locally grown foods into schools so as to take care of student's health and provide for them an education in healthy eating. We teach our kids by feeding them healthy foods which foods are healthy.
- To support local farms, schools, our community and our kids.
The
School Food System Survey is divided into three modules:
Module 1 & School Contacts: School Demographics and Food Policy — for the Principal
Module 2: Food Service Facilities and Operations/Food Consumption Statistics — for the Business Manager/Food Service Director
Module 3: School Food and Garden Curriculum — for the School Gardener
How to Conduct the School Food System Survey
- Find out how to get in touch with the Principal, Food Service Director or Business Manager, and School Gardener, if you do not already know who they are.
- Either make an appointment to interview the above stated individuals in person, or have an introductory conversation (or write a formal letter) with each interviewee to let them know what you are doing. You can either conduct the interview in person, or give the survey to them to complete. This interaction is an opportunity to involve them (if they are not already) in the efforts you are undertaking. By being inclusive in the early stages of your efforts, you build positive momentum and a coalition, avoiding people feeling left out of something that concerns them.
- Examine the results. Learn from the survey where to start at your school. At any point, you can request assistance from the Marin Food Systems Project.
How to Use the Results of the School Food System Survey
- Use the results to inform your group (your School Nutrition Advisory Council) what the school is currently doing to address your concerns. In order to make changes, it is important to understand what is currently happening at your school.
- Please send a copy of your survey results to the Marin Food Systems Project, Leah Smith (415) 663-1338. The Marin Food Systems Project can better assist your school in its efforts to make changes if we know the infrastructure, current programs, and key players.
