FRESHFARM

🍎 This spring, FRESHFARM expanded our food education footprint to support families at the National Children's Center (NCC) Early Learning Center in Ward 8! 🍏 Recent coverage by Jeff Clabaugh at WTOP News spotlights the work of FRESHFARM's community food educators at Early Childhood Education centers. 🎉 Through generous funding from the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), ELC becomes one of FRESHFARM’s 15 Healthy Tots sites. 📚 Educators like Ms. Rose Williams (pictured) visit these sites monthly for in-person educational sessions with family and staff focused on finding, cooking, and storing local foods. 🌱 Hands-on, community-based outreach centered around fresh produce sets young ones up for a lifetime of healthy eating and inspires the next generation of food citizens to prioritize foods that protect the health of their bodies and environment. 🔗 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3WrYXwc #FRESHFARM #foodprints . . . #foodaccess #foodsecurity #eatlocal #seasonaleating #summervegetables #youngchefs #cookingwithkids #programimpact #foodsystem #foodismedicine

📚 🍎 🥄“Let’s give kids positive, memorable, community building experiences with real food as a way to build preferences for that food, build confidence in utilizing and eating that food, and build skills in kitchens and gardens," Jennifer Mampara, FRESHFARM Director of Education, recently told Food Tank. Thank you Food Tank for highlighting FoodPrints, our innovative program that integrates gardening, cooking, and nutrition education into the curriculum at Washington, DC public schools. Since launching in 2009 with one school, FoodPrints has expanded to 21 schools in DC, reaching a total of 7,600 students. Our grow, cook, eat, learn model creates joyful experiences that build skills and inspire the next generation of food citizens to choose nutritious foods that protect the long-term health of our bodies and our planet. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3Y1rl9I #FRESHFARM #FoodPrints . . . . #nutritioneducation #foodeducation #growcookeatlearn #schoolgarden #DCPS #cookingwithkids #outdooreducation #farmtoschool #DCPublicSchools #DCPS #classroomkitchen

Just as improving food access is essential to creating a strong local food system, nutrition education is equally critical to achieving the FRESHFARM mission. You'll find this work at our FoodPrints schools and with community organizations that support families. Our partnership with House of Ruth is a great example. Our community engagement team works directly with House of Ruth families to create joyful experiences that excite them about growing, preparing, and enjoying fresh, local whole foods. Thanks, House of Ruth, for all that you do and for helping us nourish our food future, one child at a time!

Peach tomato panzanella salad, anyone? It's as mouthwateringly delicious and refreshing as it sounds! Parents and kids had an absolute blast preparing it with our wonderful FRESHFARM partners. Just in time for July 4th, the FRESHFARM team spent a delightful afternoon at Kidspace, showing the kids how to whip up this scrumptious salad. They chopped juicy tomatoes, tore aromatic basil leaves, and shook up vinaigrette – turning it into an impromptu dance party! Thank you to FRESHFARM—our amazing Kidspace partners for five fantastic years! From cultivating an edible garden with the kids to hosting fun-filled cooking demos, they spread the joy of gardening and cooking to kids and parents alike.

🥪🧃 Free Summer Meals begin June 22nd! 🎉 ℹ️ : Free meals for children ages 5 to 18 📍 : Select FRESHFARM sites, listed below 📅 : June 22 - Aug. 24, 2024 For pick up, children should visit the market info tent and request their meal. No enrollment, no ID, and no proof of residency is required! This program, managed by DC Central Kitchen and CentroNía and administered by FRESHFARM, helps close the meal gap experienced by children during summer months. 📍 Columbia Heights 1400 Park Rd NW Wednesdays, 4pm – 7pm 📍 Minnesota Ave 322 40th St NE Thursdays, 2 - 4pm 📍 Anacostia Community Museum 1901 Fort Pl SE Saturdays, 11am - 2pm 📍 Cesar Chavez 700 Parkside Pl NE Saturdays, 10am - 1pm 📍 Kenilworth Rec Center 4321 Ord St NE Saturdays, 10am - 1pm 📍 THEARC 1901 Mississippi Ave SE Saturdays, 11am - 2pm 🔗 Learn more about the Summer Meals program: https://lnkd.in/dap-JsRc #FRESHFARM . . #dcfarmersmarkets #foodaccess #foodsecurity #localfoods #summervegetables #foodismedicine #summermeals

🥒Does the cucumber salmonella outbreak have you feeling worried about consuming the versatile cuke? Never fear, farm-fresh cucumbers are here! (at farmers markets 🎉) June's salmonella outbreak linked to Florida-grown cucumbers sold in 14 states (including DC, MD, and VA) has sickened 150+ people. It is another example of the perils and weaknesses of the traditional food system, which relies heavily on long supply chains, mass merchandisers, and big box stores. 🥒 Lucky for us, local cucumbers grown by produce farmers across the FRESHFARM market network are in season and abundant. 💚 While eating local produce doesn't completely eliminate the risk of foodborne illness, a short food chain–-where there are fewer steps between growers and eaters–-is safer and an essential part of creating a strong and resilient Mid-Atlantic food system that works for everyone! 🧐 When you get groceries directly from the people who grow and make your food, you can ask questions about their farming and harvesting practices and learn what steps they take to keep your food wholesome and safe—something you can't do when you shop at the supermarket! 🔗 Learn more about the outbreak: https://bit.ly/3VBytI5 #FRESHFARM . . . #dcfarmersmarkets #mdfarmersmarket #vafarmersmarket #eatlocal #farmersmarket #seasonaleating #summervegetables #localproduce #midatlanticfoodsystem #shoplocal #knowfarmsknowfood #shortenyourfoodchain #cucumbers

🥒Does the cucumber salmonella outbreak have you feeling worried about consuming the versatile cuke? Never fear, farm-fresh cucumbers are here! (at farmers markets 🎉) June's salmonella outbreak linked to Florida-grown cucumbers sold in 14 states (including DC, MD, and VA) has sickened 150+ people. It is another example of the perils and weaknesses of the traditional food system, which relies heavily on long supply chains, mass merchandisers, and big box stores. 🥒 Lucky for us, local cucumbers grown by produce farmers across the FRESHFARM market network are in season and abundant. 💚 While eating local produce doesn't completely eliminate the risk of foodborne illness, a short food chain–-where there are fewer steps between growers and eaters–-is safer and an essential part of creating a strong and resilient Mid-Atlantic food system that works for everyone! 🧐 When you get groceries directly from the people who grow and make your food, you can ask questions about their farming and harvesting practices and learn what steps they take to keep your food wholesome and safe—something you can't do when you shop at the supermarket! 🔗 Learn more about the outbreak: https://bit.ly/3VBytI5 #FRESHFARM . . . #dcfarmersmarkets #mdfarmersmarket #vafarmersmarket #eatlocal #farmersmarket #seasonaleating #summervegetables #localproduce #midatlanticfoodsystem #shoplocal #knowfarmsknowfood #shortenyourfoodchain #cucumbers

JOIN OUR TEAM! 📣 Every day is a good day to contribute to a stronger food system! We’re currently seeking: ✅ HR Coordinator (full-time) ✅ Grain Stand Specialist (Weekends; DC and/or MD) ✅ FoodPrints Administrative Associate (full-time) ✅ FoodPrints Lead Teacher (full-time) Are you ready to apply? Learn about these positions and more: https://bit.ly/3x9rxJ6 #FRESHFARM . . . . #freshfarmdc #foodaccess #foodequity #foodsecurity #hiring #dmvjobs #dcjobs #foodsystemjobs #coolfoodjobs #goodfoodjobs #foodjobs #jobs #hiring #nowhiring #farmersmarket #farmersmarketjobs #joinourteam #teamwork #dowhatyoulove #cooljobalert

🗞️ Fresh off the digital presses from WTOP News, FRESHFARM's administration of FRESHFARM at THEARC has commenced, expanding our presence in Wards 7 & 8 to include six weekly farm stands. Reporter Jeff Clabaugh notes that the farm stand will have "several programs to expand access to fresh produce for low-income families, including a reduced rate on veggie subscriptions for customers paying with SNAP/EBT benefits, a dollar-for-dollar match up to $30 a day for SNAP, Senior and WIC shoppers, and Produce Plus, a program that provides fresh produce to neighborhood residents in need." 📍 THEARC-Building Bridges Across the River - 1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020 ⏰ 10 am - 2 pm, Saturdays 💳 As with all our farmers markets and farm stands, FRESHFARM at THEARC offers FreshMatch, a matching incentive for federal nutrition benefits (SNAP & FMNP), and accepts Produce Plus. 🥦 Make groceries a breeze by signing up for the FRESHFARM Market Share. Sign up any time and start picking up a share of the most fresh produce our region has to offer (with a 75% discount for shoppers paying with SNAP). Thanks, @buildingBridges_SE_DC for the continued partnership! 🔗 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3VrRGfB 🔗 Check out all of our farm stands in Wards 7 & 8: https://bit.ly/3VqTaXd #FRESHFARM . . . #eatlocal #springvegetables #summervegetables #communityengagement #foodaccess #foodismedicine #produceplus #programimpact #THEARC #foodsecurity #washingtondc #farmstand

Time is running out to help us make summer a season of bounty for all as local produce is at its peak! Donations to FRESHFARM will help create more equitable access to nutritious local food: 🫑 Make discounted weekly Market Shares available for hundreds of purchasers using SNAP benefits 🥒 Support more than 7,600 students who experience our FoodPrints education programs in public elementary schools 🍓 Provide matching FreshMatch dollars for thousands of shoppers using their SNAP/EBT, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and other nutrition benefits at farmers markets 🔗 Make a donation to help us support a healthier community this summer!: https://lnkd.in/eXdzDn5i #FRESHFARM #springappeal . . . #dcfarmersmarkets #foodaccess #foodsecurity #SNAPmatters #mdfarmersmarkets #vafarmersmarkets #foodismedicine #eatlocal #seasonaleating #givewhereyoulive #donatetoday #foodprintsDC #nutritioneducation #foodeducation