“School Gardens Lead to Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds” Green Schools Conference March 28, 2014 Sacramento, CA Slow Food’s Good, Clean & Fair: Transformation of School Food Culture Through Gardens , Cafeterias and Farms Andrew Nowak Slow Food USA
Jan 06, 2016
“School Gardens Lead to Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds”
Green Schools Conference
March 28, 2014
Sacramento, CA
Slow Food’s Good, Clean & Fair: Transformation of School Food Culture
Through Gardens , Cafeterias and Farms
Andrew NowakSlow Food USA
Everyone has the own definition of Slow Food:
For me it is:1) A World Wide
Movement2) Lifestyle choice3) A shift in priorities4) Leaders in local
food promotions5) Non-profit network
of passionate people
What is Slow Food?
Slow Food USA: Chapters
With over 175 Chapters and 40 Campus Chapters, there is a great opportunity for a national network of school gardens:
1) Very passionate supporters2) Pools of volunteers3) Great networks for support4) Excellent fundraisers
Slow Food USA: Network of Chapters
Our mission as an international grassroots membership organization is Good, Clean and Fair food for all.
GOOD “Our food should be tasty, seasonal, local, fresh and wholesome.”
CLEAN “Our food should nourish a healthful lifestyle and be produced in ways that preserve biodiversity, sustain the environment and ensure animal welfare without harming human health.”
FAIR “Our food should be affordable by all, while respecting the dignity of labor from field to fork.”
Slow Food USA: Our Mission
Our mission as an international grassroots membership organization is Good, Clean and Fair food for all.
Ark of Taste
Slow Meat
National School Garden Program
Slow Food USA: 2014 Projects
American Bronze Turkey
Slow Food USA: Ark of Taste
Amish Pie Squash
Good: Whether an animal breed, baked treat, fruit, spice, grain, or beverage, these foods are prized by those who eat them for their special taste.
Clean: No engineered foods here. These foods are linked to the place and the community that protects them. Everything on the Ark of Taste has the potential to be grown, raised or produced without harm to the environment.
Fair: No commercial or trademarked items are allowed on to the Ark of Taste, only foods that anyone may champion, produce, share or sell.
Slow Food USA: Ark of Taste
Slow Food USA: Slow Meat
Good: A diversity of breeds that provide meat with appropriate nutrients, enjoyed in proper proportions and recognizing culturally different preparation methods.
Clean: Animals that are raised on pasture with minimal confinement with proper use of land and water resources and without antibiotics, hormones and chemicals. Safely processed without any contamination. Appropriately labeled packages with properly defined terms.
Fair: Humane treatment of animals and safe conditions for workers. A food chain that provides a working business model for committed producers and fair access to all segments of the population.
Slow Food USA: Slow Meat
Slow Food USA: School Projects
Taste Education
GOOD: School Gardens
Garden to Cafeteria
Scratch cooking
GOOD: School Food
Local Produce
The transformation of School Food Culture reflects Slow Food values of:
GOOD “Our food should be tasty, seasonal, local, fresh and wholesome.” Examples:
1. Whole, raw, fresh, local produce- gardens and farms.
2. Scratch cooking in school kitchens.
3. Salad bars in schools serving seasonal items.
4. Taste education classes help students develop skills and palates for fresh food.
Slow Food USA: School Food Culture
Seed Starting
CLEAN: School Gardens
Spring Planting
The science of decay
CLEAN: CompostingNo waste from the garden
The transformation of School Food Culture reflects Slow Food values of:
CLEAN “Our food should nourish a healthful lifestyle and be produced in ways that preserve biodiversity, sustain the environment and ensure animal welfare without harming human health.”
1. Organic practices in school gardens and farms
2. Use of heirloom plants in gardens
3. Composting is a component of the garden and farm practices
Slow Food USA: School Food Culture
Ready to sell!
FAIR: Youth Farmers’ MarketsSelling to the community
Grow a Row Programs
FAIR: Produce for Pantries
Community projects
The transformation of School Food Culture reflects Slow Food values of:
FAIR “Our food should be affordable by all, while respecting the dignity of labor from field to fork.”
1. All students benefit from the gardens and farms.
2. Local food purchases must fit in with the current food budget.
4. Markets reflect prices in the neighborhood.
5. The District pays the gardens for the fresh produce.
Slow Food USA: School Food Culture
School Garden Guide
National School Garden Program
Best PracticesDesign & BuildVolunteersFundraisingCurriculumMarketingSpecial ProjectsPolicyEvaluation
Currently developing resources to build the capacity of Chapters to increase their activity in school garden projects:
1) Peer-to-Peer learning2) Technical assistance for special projects3) Training workshops and webinars4) Grant support for garden projects5) Formation of strategic partnerships
National School Garden Program
“School Gardens Lead to Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds”
Green Schools Conference
March 28, 2014
Sacramento, CA
Slow Food’s Good, Clean & Fair: Transformation of School Food Culture
Through Gardens , Cafeterias and Farms
Andrew NowakSlow Food USA