Veggie Ready Program Returns to Local Schools Through Flint River Soil and Water District Partnership
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District is excited to once again partner with the Small Bites Adventure Club to bring the Veggie Ready program to Pre-K and kindergarten students this fall at Byne Christian School in Albany and Pataula Charter Academy in Edison. This partnership is made possible through generous funding from the District’s urban agriculture sister organization, Flint River Fresh, which works to increase access to fresh, local food and strengthen farm-to-school connections across southwest Georgia.
“We’re thrilled to continue to work alongside our partners at the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District to strengthen our farm-to-school programming, and expand the footprint of our impact,” says Fredando Jackson, Flint River Fresh Executive Director. “Sponsoring classrooms to bring engaging and turn-key lessons to students is a great fit for our mission.”
Veggie Ready is a standards-based, multi-sensory food and nutrition program that helps young students discover the world of fruits and vegetables. Each hands-on lesson builds kitchen skills, introduces simple recipes, and connects children to the journey of food from farm to table.
“Our students are learning all about plants this year—how they grow, the parts of the plant, and why they’re important. They even take a field trip to a peanut farm, so having the Veggie Ready program really brings it all full circle. It bridges the gap between farm and table in such a fun, hands-on way. We’re excited for our kindergartners to try new fruits and veggies while learning healthy habits that connect perfectly with what we’re already teaching,” said Summer Hill, kindergarten teacher at Pataula Charter Academy.
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District offers the Veggie Ready program each spring and fall to randomly selected schools in Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, and Seminole counties. Thanks to the support of partners like Flint River Fresh, the district is able to continue expanding opportunities for students to learn about healthy foods, and the connections between agriculture, farming, and the connections between agriculture and community well-being.
For more information, please contact Abby Bodiford at abby@flintriverswcd.org.
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District is comprised of farmers, landowners, and community leaders that are dedicated to the conservation, wise use, and protection of natural resources in the Flint River Basin. Learn more about the District at flintriverswcd.org.