Online Survey: Generating Success for Farm to School Programs
Posted: September 6, 2017
Categories: Edible Education Network / GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Ontario / Research / Schools
It’s back to school, so we’re thinking farm to school!
George Brown College, in partnership with Sustain Ontario and Farm to Cafeteria Canada, has undertaken a project to investigate and communicate the diverse conditions necessary to support Farm to School (F2S) and to attempt to identify best practices for stakeholders.
Are you involved in a F2S project? If you haven’t already done so, please fill out the project’s online survey that will help inform the project and ultimately support other F2S programs in the future.
George Brown College is undertaking this project thanks to SSHRC funding through the Community and College Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF).
Gary Hoyer, the George Brown faculty lead on the Generating Success for Farm to School project, has shared:
“We are thrilled to receive this funding, and will use it to promote and enhance Farm to School programs that support local sustainable foods, healthy lifestyles, and student food literacy by carefully researching and disseminating best practices. George Brown has a long history of excellence in food and beverage research and this project continues that tradition by partnering with community leaders such as Sustain Ontario, its Ontario Edible Education Network and Farm to Cafeteria Canada. Together, we will strengthen the connection between local food systems, schools and communities, and the healthy futures of students across Ontario.”
The survey asks respondents to identify activities that their organization / school takes part in that enable and promote three key elements of F2S: hands-on learning, school & community connectedness, and healthy local foods for schools.
This initial survey aims to gather basic information about such activities, what they hope to achieve, the challenges they face, and factors that contribute to their success.
The survey is being complemented by in-depth interviews, which will help capture lessons learned about successful F2S activities. The research team is also reviewing and summarizing worldwide F2S research and literature.
The survey should take approximately 25 minutes to complete.
If you work with F2S activities, Sustain Ontario and the OEEN encourages you to take the time to fill out the survey, and to please share it widely with those who also might be interested!