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PINT  SIZE PRODUCE











       Farm to Early Care & Education: raising healthy, local food lovers



       By Grace Brogan
       Photos by Anita Schuckert & Ihsan Yaseen
       Illustration by Olivia Olson Joannides








       Toddlers despise broccoli.                                                           Since first engaging in Farm
       ...right?                                                                         to ECE, Anita has expanded
                                                                                         her garden. Her kids even help
                                                                                         process some of the produce:
       Turns out, it doesn’t have                                                        peeling tomatoes, freezing
       to be that way. Research                                                          squash, and dehydrating apples
                                                                                         from a local farm. When winter
       shows the earliest years                                                         comes, they delight in the great
       are key in establishing taste                                                   taste of soups and sauces made
       preferences and lifelong                                                       with those preserved ingredients.
       healthy eating habits. At the same                                               Anita also gets parents involved
                                                                                  by providing them with recipes and
       time, many families are far removed                                      ingredients, having them help with the kids
       from the sources of their food. That’s why                            in the garden, and hosting Meal Prep Days—
       initiatives like Farm to Early Care & Education                  where parents become more comfortable with
       (Farm to ECE) are so vital.


       Beyond providing local fare for meals and snacks, Farm to ECE
       offers young eaters (birth to 6 years) great nutrition, fun food-
       based activities and hands-on experiences with gardens, cooking
       and farms. These programs, applied in kindergartens, preschools,
       childcare centers and in-home settings, have health benefits for
       kids, build community connectedness and diversify income for
       local farmers. They’ve even been known to result in toddlers who
       love broccoli.

       Iowa Initiatives


       Anita Schuckert, owner of Little Steps and Beyond Day Care in
       Iowa City, embraced Farm to ECE after taking a class that helped
       her make connections with local farmers. “As part of the class, I got
       produce like apples and pumpkins to do taste tests and activities with
       the kids,” recalls Anita. “The kids really liked making pumpkin butter,
       which they got to take home.” The kids in her care try new foods,
       help with snacks and assist with the garden.

     14  FEAST! Local Foods Magazine
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