The Good Taste of Locally Grown Healthy Food
The Harvest of the Month program provides a hands-on opportunities for children to explore, taste, and learn about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables and being active every day. The cost of or access to fresh produce can be challenging for some families. Harvest of the Month can teach children how to eat healthier and save money by purchasing local produce in season.
By implementing Harvest of the Month, schools have the opportunity to expand Nebraska students’ palates and increase student interest in healthy foods, the science of nutrition and agriculture. Program resources allow educators, school nutrition staff, school administrators, students, parents, farmers, after-school programs to work together to help children increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Program materials were created by Nebraska Department of Education in partnership with Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska.
Highlighted produce include: melons, cabbage, turnips, winter squash, sweet potato, potatoes, great northern beans, leafy greens and asparagus. Produce is sourced in partnership with Green Schools Farms, a local organic farm.
Harvest of the Month is currently being implemented at Educare of Lincoln, Wrangler Babies Malone Center, and Belmont Community Center preschools, as well as Belmont, Brownell, Calvert, Campbell, Clinton, Everett, Hartley, Holmes, Huntington, McPhee, Randolph, Riley elementary schools under the direction of Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln in collaboration with Nebraska Department of Education. Several Lincoln Community Learning Center schools who do or will participate in the WeCook program include Harvest of the Month as part of their curriculum.
- Learn more about Harvest of the Month efforts on our FARM TO SCHOOL web page.
- Find Nebraska Department of Education Harvest of the Month Resources at this Link: HARVEST OF THE MONTH
