Fresh From the Farm Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools

6/5/2018

The Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) is proud to show support for the Fresh From the Farm Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools. This fundraising initiative provides schools the opportunity to raise funds by selling Ontario fruit and vegetables to the community, while promoting healthy eating and supporting Ontario farmers. Launched in 2013, Fresh From the Farm is entering in its sixth year and 1165 schools have raised over $1.1 million for school initiatives selling 2.7 million pounds of Ontario produce.

Fresh From the Farm is a collaborative initiative between the:

Ontario Ministry of Education
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association
Dietitians of Canada

It aligns with:

Ontario's School Food and Beverage Policy (PPM 150)
The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy 2017
Ontario's Local Food Act 2013

This program is looking for Professional Home Economists (P.H.Ecs) to help promote and grow this healthy option for school fundraising. As key stakeholders, P.H.Ecs are requested to engage with their circle of influence and share information about the program. Strategies to promote the program may include, but are not limited to:

Engaging with principals, teachers, and parent-involvement volunteers at your local elementary and secondary schools,
Engaging with school health nurses at your local schools,
Spearheading efforts at your local school by becoming a Fresh From the Farm School Champion,
Posting information on your workplace public blog, and
Engaging in their social media presence on Facebook and Twitter (@freshfromfarmON)

Visit Fresh From the Farm's website for more information about the fundraiser.

P.H.Ecs can contact the Project Coordinator Lisa Mardlin-Vandewalle, MHS, BASc, RD with additional questions or for further information. Her email is lisa.mardlin-vandewalle@dietitians.ca.

Please click HERE to view the flyer in english.

Please click HERE to view the flyer in french.

3 Comments

Mary Carver link

6/5/2018 03:42:40 pm

I believe the Fresh from the Farm project is excellent for school fundraisers. Could it not be used for church or sports fundraisers as well? Daily efforts are made by parents, teachers, and scout leaders to encourage kids to make healthful food choices - yet we so often settle quietly for junk-food when a student knocks on our door! Change it up Ontario. We can make this a multi-advantage effort. Teaching kids to make wise choices, promote local food and raise funds for projects. It's win, win, win!

OHEA

6/5/2018 06:19:36 pm

Hi Mary, that is an excellent idea - Fresh from the Farm would be great for external fundraisers too. It is so important for kids to make wise choices and learn how to eat well from a young age, and even better if they can raise money while doing it! Perhaps Lisa would have more information about whether or not it can be extended beyond schools. We will get in touch with her and find out! :)

Lisa Mardlin Vandewalle

6/7/2018 09:43:34 am

Thank you for your question, comments and support Mary! Fresh from the Farm has indeed received requests from organizations other than schools to participate in the fundraiser. The Fresh from the Farm partners are giving consideration to opening-up the fundraiser to other youth-oriented organizations, but the decision has been made to continue to offer the fundraiser to schools only for this year. We suggest that non-school youth-oriented organizations that are interested in participating this year consider partnering with a local school in their area as a way to participate in the fundraiser. I am tracking the number of requests I receive from organizations to gauge the potential interest and demand.

Thanks again Mary!

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Fresh From the Farm Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools

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