food service staff, EDUCATORS, parents, school administrators & board MEMBERS

will learn about policies and creative school-based initiatives to help reverse alarming trends in childhood obesity, poor eating habits and resulting health problems. Today, 1 in 3 children is likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.  If children come to school hungry, how can they learn? Our children deserve to have good nutrition for a productive and healthy life.

At the workshops in UHS sponsored Track 1, Farm to School, be inspired by education and nutrition programs to reduce hunger and improve child health. Hear how these programs support the regional economy through purchase of food from farmers. Learn about programs that improve school meals, strengthen nutrition education, and foster student eco-literacy through hands on experiences in the outdoors. Get ideas from success stories around the state, with Margaret Sullivan, Todd Fowler and Ray Denniston, including the award winning Rock on Café. Hear from John Enright, Campus Executive Chef with Sodexo at Binghamton University. Learn how they are all finding ways to feature healthy, local foods in their cafeterias.

From Policy to Programs: The National Scene and One State’s Creative Approach to Farm to School workshop: Engage with Dana Hudson, the Northeast Regional Lead for the National Farm to School Network and Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day). Come learn about Vermont’s fresh and systemic approach through hands-on experiences and the impact of State/National policies on Farm to School throughout the country.