Article by UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Director Lorna Bravo
Did you know that October is National Farm to School month in Broward County?
The Broward County Commission issued a proclamation to the Davie-based UF/IFAS Extension declaring October as National Farm to School Month in Broward County. Vice Mayor Dale Holness presented the proclamation which recognized the impact that UF/IFAS FNP has made on influencing positive eating and food selection behaviors that ultimately help improve the health of the community at large.
The Board of County Commissioners in Broward County presented UF/ IFAS Extension a Farm to School Proclamation on October 15, 2019, dedicating the month of October as National Farm to School month in Broward County.
UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Family Nutrition Program ( FNP)
The UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP) has provided free nutrition education to SNAP-eligible people in Florida since 1996. FNP also offers free resources for local organizations to support and promote healthy eating and physical activity in their communities. To read more about the UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program, you can visit https://familynutritionprogram.org/
CRUNCH & UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Program
The Florida CRUNCH is a national, state, and local celebration of National Farm to School Month, which provides agriculture and nutrition education to students. In 2019, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County received the state’s Master Gardener Legacy award, recognizing the importance of urban agriculture education, with emphasis on community and school urban garden efforts. UF/IFAS FNP and UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener program worked together to further promote agriculture education and healthy food choices by coordinating the Florida CRUNCH.
The Florida Crunch is a one-day event organized in schools across the state to celebrate National Farm to School Month in October. It raises awareness of Florida-grown produce and healthy eating by highlighting one fruit or vegetable for students to learn about and sample in a taste test. The Florida CRUNCH further enriches communities, supports local farmers and ongoing priorities of educating Broward County teachers on implementing urban agriculture initiatives at schools. To read more about UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Program you can visit https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/broward/urban-horticulture/broward-master-gardener/
In partnership with the National Farm to School Network, Florida Department of Agriculture, Consumer Services, Wellness in The Schools, and Broward County Public Schools, the UF/ IFAS Extension FNP Public Health Specialist coordinated 5 Florida CRUNCH events on 11/01/2019. Participating schools included- Morrow Elementary, Walker Elementary, Davie Elementary, Hallandale/ Gulfstream North, and Colbert Elementary.
On November 1st, 2019, Broward Food and Nutrition Services served locally grown Florida cucumbers to Broward County students.
Over 4,000 students participated in the FL CRUNCH event.
Do you want to receive our quarterly Broward Green Bites newsletters?
Stay Connected @ Constant Contact
Contact: Lorna Bravo at: lbravo1@ufl.edu
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities and 67 county Extension offices, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS.
0
