Framework-08-25-14_web

26 CHAPTER 04: PRIORITY OUTCOMES, INDICATORS AND MEASURESSector descriptions in the contextof farm to school:Public HealthLocal and nutritious foods, including those that aresustainably produced and processed, should beavailable in all schools and early childhood educationcenters to nourish every child, regardless of raceand ethnicity, economic standing, or geographiclocation. Farm to school activities aim to providehealthy food options and nutrition and food-basededucation to influence healthy eating behaviors andhealthy lifestyles in children. These activities also aimto educate and engage parents, thereby reinforcinghealthy family eating and food purchasing behaviors.Farm to school has the potential to connect peopleto the land to the source of food. Through the useof school and community gardens, farm to schoolcan contribute to healthy neighborhoods wherecommunities have a better understanding of howfood is grown and how food affects their healthand wellness. Farm to school activities encouragerelationship building among community memberssuch as farmers and educators, who might nototherwise collaborate.Community Economic DevelopmentFarm to school provides economic developmentopportunities to producers, (i.e. farmers, ranchers,fishers) laborers, distributors, processors, cooks andfoodservice staff, as well as others who support thelocal food system. Beyond this, farm to school mayalso specifically benefit those who have historicallylacked equal access to the traditional food system,such as small or mid-sized operations, lower incomeindividuals, women and people of color, and those inrural areas. Farm to school activities can support thesegroups by building long-term economic vitality withinthe local food system through creating a demandfor local food products. Further, the value of equityapplied to the community economic developmentsector implies living wages, safe working conditions,and equal opportunities for marketing, value-addition,and distribution for vulnerable populations.EVALUATION FOR TRANSFORMATION