RWJF toolkit recommends farm to school and school gardens as a policy approach to prevent childhood obesity

[Stacey Sobell]

RWJF just published an “Action Strategies Toolkit” for local and state leaders working to create healthy communities and prevent childhood obesity

*executive summary here: http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/20090508lhctoolkitexecsummary.pdf
*full report here: http://www.leadershipforhealthycommunities.org/images/stories/toolkit/lhc_action_strategies_toolkit_0900504final.pdf

Under the heading “Quality Nutrition in Schools” (pg. 7, executive summary), one of the three policy options they suggest is:

"Supporting farm-to-school and school garden programs

Develop policies and programs that support farm-to-school programs and target schools that serve a large number of children who are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.

Create edible school gardens that integrate gardening and fresh seasonal cooking into curricula, culture and food programs"