Seven Generations Ahead

Overview

Fresh from the Farm (FFF), Seven Generations Ahead’s comprehensive farm to school program, was the first of its kind Illinois and was named one the nation’s top ten farm to school programs in 2011 by Mother Nature Network.  FFF is rooted in the 4 main tenants of farm to school – local food procurement, nutrition education, school gardens and farm/farmer connections.  SGA’s FFF Program is based on the educational philosophies of experiential learning and place-based education.  This translates into hands-on, inquiry-based learning that brings real-world context to the classroom for students in first through eighth grade.

Direct Implementation

SGA provides direct implementation of its comprehensive Fresh from the Farm program to Chicago and metro area schools.  The FFF program is comprised of two curriculum modules – Roots and Fruits (grades 1-4) and Linking Plants and Food (grades 5-8) – grounded in USDA MyPlate nutrition guidelines and aligned with Common Core State Standards.  Direct implementation also includes weekly tastings of different varieties of healthy/local fresh fruits and vegetables; chef and farmer classroom visits; school garden development and support with educational programming and curriculum; parent education; and resource provision that support healthy/local food access and educational activities in schools.  Pre/post evaluation tools, recently revised by the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC), are included in direct implementation.

Educator Training

SGA’s Educator Training program equips teachers and health educators to implement FFF’s two curricula modules; supports teachers with the framework, process steps, and resources to initiate school-based gardens; models classroom curriculum and local farm expedition implementation; highlights the importance of farmer, chef, and nutritionist classroom visitors; and provides teachers with an overview of the health, academic achievement, and student well-being rationale for promoting healthy eating and locally grown foods in school.  Training will also include evaluation tools, community resources and local farm/farmers’ market expeditions, parent materials, and garden planning, implementation, and curricula linkages.

Farm to School Consulting

The provision of knowledge and resources to support organizations in their farm to school initiatives is accomplished with SGA’s Consulting Support.  Whether it’s planning, development and implementation of a school or community garden, local food procurement for school food service or establishment of a farmers’ market, SGA is an expert in all aspects of farm to school activities.