The Upland Unified Farm to School Program embodies the district’s mission statement, ‘Every Single Student, Every Single Day’ by striving to ensure that every student is given access to a hands-on learning opportunity based on organic gardening, positive nutrition habits, and community building. The Farm to School Program works with individual school administration, teachers, and students to plan a school garden that will serve both the school’s and program’s goals, making it more likely to sustain a garden program on campus. Gardens across the district provide students with the opportunity to get outside and learn about the food system while also learning about nutrition and how to make good food choices. Additionally, the produce that’s grown in the school gardens can be incorporated into cafeteria recipes, meaning that the students have the unique opportunity to grow and harvest lettuce in the garden and then later eat that same lettuce at lunch.

FoodCorps placed at Upland Unified serve at two elementary schools, and one of their biggest responsibilities is providing students with time in the garden to learn and grow produce. Corps members take care of the school gardens and utilize them and the produce growing in them multiple times a week to ensure that students are being exposed to an outdoor education. Corps members are integral to the work being done around access to nutritious foods and nutrition education, and support this through cafeteria promotions, youth leadership activities, taste tests, and lessons.

Becoming a corps member in California connects you to a legacy and future of innovative farm to school programming, vibrant school communities, and equitable access to nourishing school meals. FoodCorps California members are part of a large cohort partnering in communities across the state. California corps members are important members of the school and district community, lead nutrition and garden lessons, promote social and emotional wellness, and support initiatives such as School Meals For All, California Thursdays/California Food for California Kids, and Harvest of the Month programs by running taste tests, supporting meal programs, and making mealtime an educational and socially fulfilling time.