Rogue Valley Farm to School
Healthy Futures
Each month, Carly, the Rogue Valley Farm to School AmeriCorps member enters elementary school cafeterias across the Central Point school district, donning an AmeriCorps pin and an RVF2S apron, ready to serve a locally sourced dish she prepared earlier that week to hungry, curious students. This is thanks to the Tasting Table program, made possible because of a partnership between UCAN and RVF2S.
The joys of supervising Carly and Tasting Tables are in hearing the moments of kindergarteners tugging at Carly’ s apron, beaming with pride and eagerness after learning they loved the beets they just tried; when crowds of kids wait in line to take the recipe home to try with their families; and in viewing videos of spontaneous raps: unsolicited love songs students create about the featured fruit or vegetable. Students sample beet hummus, cabbage coleslaw, radish micro greens, and more, while making their voices heard by casting a vote that they“ tried it,”“ liked it” or“ loved it.” By casting a vote on the recipe, school food services are encouraged to serve these recipes to students. Tasting Tables enlist the help of the schools’ oldest students, granting 5th graders a leadership role in serving samples to their peers. These leaders take ownership of the program leading by example: with connections and trust already gained, younger kids value and look up to their older peers.
As supervisor, I play a supportive role, but find pride in knowing that students, with the help of Carly, are running the show. Over 4,926 samples have been served thus far. The program is ingenious, as it works to improve youth’ s diet and food perceptions in their formative years. This is particularly important in districts where many of the students qualify for free and reduced assistance. This work would not presently be possible in the Rogue Valley without the support of UCAN, and RVF2S knows that the work being done is shaping the way food is viewed in our cafeterias.
Melina Barker Host Site Mentor Director of Member & Family Services