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    PINT  SIZE PRODUCE

           Farm to Early Care & Education: raising healthy, local food lovers

           By Grace Brogan
           Photos by Anita Schuckert & Ihsan Yaseen
           Illustration by Olivia Olson Joannides

           Toddlers despise broccoli.                                                           Since first engaging in Farm
           ...right?                                                                         to ECE, Anita has expanded
                                                                                             her garden. Her kids even help
                                                                                             process some of the produce:
           Turns out, it doesn’t have                                                        peeling tomatoes, freezing
           to be that way. Research                                                          squash, and dehydrating apples
                                                                                             from a local farm. When winter
           shows the earliest years                                                         comes, they delight in the great
           are key in establishing taste                                                   taste of soups and sauces made
           preferences and lifelong                                                       with those preserved ingredients.
           healthy eating habits. At the same                                               Anita also gets parents involved
                                                                                      by providing them with recipes and
           time, many families are far removed                                      ingredients, having them help with the kids
           from the sources of their food. That’s why                            in the garden, and hosting Meal Prep Days—
           initiatives like Farm to Early Care & Education                  where parents become more comfortable with
           (Farm to ECE) are so vital.

           Beyond providing local fare for meals and snacks, Farm to ECE
           offers young eaters (birth to 6 years) great nutrition, fun food-
           based activities and hands-on experiences with gardens, cooking
           and farms. These programs, applied in kindergartens, preschools,
           childcare centers and in-home settings, have health benefits for
           kids, build community connectedness and diversify income for
           local farmers. They’ve even been known to result in toddlers who
           love broccoli.

           Iowa Initiatives

           Anita Schuckert, owner of Little Steps and Beyond Day Care in
           Iowa City, embraced Farm to ECE after taking a class that helped
           her make connections with local farmers. “As part of the class, I got
           produce like apples and pumpkins to do taste tests and activities with
           the kids,” recalls Anita. “The kids really liked making pumpkin butter,
           which they got to take home.” The kids in her care try new foods,
           help with snacks and assist with the garden.

         14  FEAST! Local Foods Magazine

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