In 1987, Food Works opened in Montpelier, Vermont as a nonprofit organization that worked in communities to address the root causes of childhood hunger. They developed school gardening programs and also joined students with elders in an intergenerational program where senior meal sites received fresh, locally grown organic produce. Children assisted in the delivery of fresh vegetables to these sites. Elders led classes for children in bread making and in identifying and preparing wild edibles.
In 1997, Food Works' co-founder Joseph Kiefer began discussing the idea of developing a classroom nutrition education program that linked local farms to schools through lunch programs. Joseph wanted to address poor eating habits and provide better nutrition, subjects he now calls "food illiteracy." He felt that many adults and children didn't understand much about the food they ate everyday -- where it came from, who grew it and how it was processed.
Today, Food Works operates educational programs in Vermont and nationwide to increase awareness about sustainable farming practices, nutrition, farm-to-school programs, habitat restoration, and ecology. There are educational publications on children and gardening, a kids' summer herb camp, and gardens for learning.
One of the newest initiatives of Food Works is the Foodbank Farm, which brings fresh, locally grown produce to the tables of poor families in Central Vermont. In partnership with the Vermont Foodbank, the Food Works farm team is growing potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and onions for distribution solely to recipient families of Foodbank member agencies. The goal of the partnership is to provide a source of locally grown foods for low-income folks, regardless of their ability to pay as well as on-going food and nutrition education in growing, cooking and food preservation.
A partnership provides fresh, locally grown produce to children, the elderly at Senior Meal sites, children's centers, schools, community mental health facilities, nursing homes and hospitals. This helps local farmers and provides healthy food to the community.
Other new programs at Food Works include the development of community gardens at the low-income Highgate Housing project in Barre. These gardens would provide fresh vegetables to the families. Also, over the last two years, Food Works has assisted the Orange and Twinfield schools in constructing traditional Quebec clay ovens for school activities.
The Gardens For Learning (GFL) program has completed its 12th year. The project provides food for children at risk of "summertime hunger" in 14 locations around Vermont. The sites include federally funded free summer lunch programs and federally subsidized housing projects, to schools, town parks, family centers and summer camps. The project works with children in the gardens and in cooking classes.
Food Works at Two Rivers Farm
email info@tworiverscenter.org
Contact: Joseph Kiefer, Food Works
64 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 223-1515 joskiefer@aol.com
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