In only its third year of operation, the national service program, FoodCorps, has expanded its number of sites this year, which includes the placement of a service member at Massaro Community Farm. The farm is pleased to welcome Eileen Garcia as its new FoodCorps service member, engaged to work primarily with the town of Ansonia. FoodCorps works with leaders to connect youth with real food that helps them grow up healthy.
FoodCorps, which is overseen locally by the University of Connecticut Agricultural Extension Office, is beginning its second year in the state and is working to improve school food environments by teaching kids about where healthy food comes from, to build and tend school gardens, and to bring quality local food into school cafeterias.
"We view the placement of this FoodCorps service member at the farm as an extension of our existing partnerships with both the VITAHLS program and Ansonia schools," said farm executive director Caty Poole.
In 2013, Massaro Community Farm has hosted numerous school groups from Ansonia schools, which encourages physical activity - the elementary school kids can walk to the farm, engages the kids with their natural environment, and allows them to see and taste where their food comes from. This is an extension of goals of the Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools. Griffin Hospital and Jones Family Farms were instrumental in supporting a FoodCorps service member at the farm through their financial support.
Ms. Garcia comes from New York with a background in communications and English. With passions for education and nutrition, Ms. Garcia is beginning her first year as a FoodCorps service member. Stationed at the farm, she intends to work directly with the Ansonia schools to lead field trips, design and promote healthy food and agricultural activities in and out of the classroom, and strive to bring more local, healthy food into school cafeterias. While Ms. Garcia will serve at the farm through July 2014, the farm is committed to have a FoodCorps service member through at least July 2016.
Ms. Garcia will be conducting activities in the Learning Garden this Saturday, October 5 at Massaro's annual Family Fun Day, from 1pm-5pm. More information can be found at www.massarofarm.org.
