Farm-to-Work Wellness Program Workshop

Transcription

1 Farm-to-Work Wellness Program Workshop Sarah Prager, Farms Direct Project Coordinator, Sustainable Food Center Amanda Reat, MS, RD, UTHealth School of Public Health in Austin Karissa Horton, PhD, Co-founder and Principal Consultant, Limetree Research Julie Latcham, Senior Coordinator, Special Programs, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living

2 Sustainable Food Center SFC fulfills its mission through three main program areas. GROW SHARE PREPARE

3 SFC Grow Community Garden Support School Garden Support Field Trips Teaching Garden Gardening Classes Spread the Harvest

4 SFC Share Farmers Markets Farm to School Farm to Work Farm to Institution Food Access Double Dollars Farmstands Advocacy

5 SFC Prepare Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre Public Cooking Classes Commercial Kitchen

6 Farm to Work Overview Modified CSA model Customers purchase in advance online through Farm to Work website Direct delivery to employees at their workplace

7 Farm to Work History 2007 Launch with 2 sites at the Department of State Health Services FTW sites Evaluation completed farmers 44 sites Over $180,000 in sales

8 Farm to Work Benefits Employees: Enjoy convenient online ordering and delivery direct to worksite Savor seasonally grown and fresh picked produce Help protect the environment Support the local economy Employers: Promote a healthy workforce Provide a workplace benefit for employees Engage more broadly with employees and the community Farmers: Access a greater customer base Realize greater economic prosperity Enhance crop production and diversity Build relationships with their community

9 Farm to Work Baskets Spring/Summer Spring/Summer

10 Farm to Work Baskets Fall/Winter Fall/Winter

11 Farm to Work Farmers Braune Farms Animal Farm Lightsey Farm Farmshare Austin Texas Food Ranch Green Gate Farms Plant It Forward Farms Johnson s Backyard Garden

12 Farmer Spotlight: Animal Farm Location: Cat Springs, TX - Small, organic, family farm - Mission is to provide the encouragement and skills needed to live in harmony with nature. - Their operation is based on Permaculture principals, which takes care of the earth, the people on it, and protects resources for future generations. - Find Animal Farm at the SFC Downtown Farmers Market in Austin on Saturdays!

13 Farmer Spotlight Braune Farm Location: Geronimo, TX - 30-acre family run farm - Follow sustainable farming practices and techniques to maximize efficiency and retain the high mineral content of the soil, which gives their produce exceptional flavor. - The farm is worked by the entire family, including their four children. When you purchase from Braune Farms, you are truly supporting a small family farm and helping to give us the opportunity to continue a long farming tradition in our family. - Find Braune Farms at the Pearl Farmers Market on Saturdays!

14 Farm to Work in Childcare Invite parents to participate Explore funding to subsidize baskets Education opportunities How to cook your Farm to Work basket Recipe swap Nutrition Facts Integrate older kids into operations (distribution, cooking etc.)

15 Possible Resources Not in Central Texas? Consider reaching out to: State Agriculture Departments Extension Programs Universities (especially Land Grant Universities)

16 Farm-to-Work from a Dietitian s Perspective

17 Taste Test What tastes better?

18 Food Beliefs The average American is disconnected from their food source. Many Americans believe that healthy food tastes bad.

19 Good for Families Peak of nutrition and flavor Less nutrient loss Safer food Know the farmer

20 Good for the Farmer Farmer Support Boosting the local economy

21 Good for the Earth Sustainable practices

22 Farm-to-Work Evaluation

23 Marketing of the Program

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27 Question & Answer

28 Thank you for attending! Feel free to contact us below: