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