Page 84 - Superintendent Annual Report 2023-24

Additional academic ties were reinforced with a visit to a packaging plant, showcasing how harvested vegetables were
packaged for distribution to their school. Lessons in supply chains, economics, and environmental sustainability came alive,
highlighting local agriculture's impact on the community.

Students gained a deeper understanding of their academic lessons and a profound connection with their food’s origins.
The local farm served as a living classroom, bridging theory and practice and fostering an appreciation for agricultural
complexities. This experiential learning underscored that education thrives beyond textbooks and classrooms when
students immerse themselves in the world around them. The students felt a strong connection with the food they ate,
understanding its journey from the farm to their school.

Garden Initiative
The School Garden Initiative supports access to healthy food and nutrition education and provides enriching educational
experiences beyond the traditional classroom.

The Department of School Food Service collaborated with the Department of Secondary Education to review the existing
garden curriculum and align it with academic standards. Forty teachers representing 30 different schools participated in a
teacher cadre to create project-based learning opportunities, nurturing young minds and empowering students to become
innovative citizens. Merging science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education with the natural environment is
intended to foster a deep connection with nature and sustainable living practices.

FY24 provided a new chapter in our journey with the introduction of food forests in our District-operated schools.
Neighborhood Farms USA worked hand in hand with SFS and Rolling Green ES to develop the first food forest in the
District. This partnership, a beacon of our future, will further our strategic goals to eventually allow for self-sustaining
ecosystems on campus and open the doors for possible future farmers' markets, a testament to the endless possibilities.

District’s first food forest at Rolling Green ES

84 Superintendent Annual Report 2023 - 2024