Schools
Schools are uniquely positioned to implement strategies that have a broad reach to both generations by creating environments in which children can eat and learn about new healthy foods while supporting parents’ access to nutrition education and food resources. Our work at schools includes working with parents, students, and administrators to increase community engagement around healthy food. We view schools as powerful community hubs for empowerment and education.
EscWELLa
The EscWELLa program engages schools as community resource hubs in the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods surrounding Occidental College. As a holistic program to improve the health and wellness of school communities, EscWELLa provides resources and education to students, caregivers, teachers, and administrators to promote healthy eating and create green spaces at school.
Farm to Classroom
The Farm to Classroom project offers a streamlined option for garden and nutrition educators to easily purchase from farmers’ markets for taste tests and cooking demonstrations using a new online ordering and delivery platform called “eat!”
Farm to Preschool
Farm to Preschool or Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) offers increased access to the three core Farm to School elements of local food sourcing, school gardens, and food and agriculture education to enhance the quality of the educational experience for young children.
Living Schoolyards
UEPI’s Center for Community Food & Resilience is a member of the Los Angeles Living Schoolyard Coalition, which is a group of nonprofit organizations, educators, and community members advocating for equitable access to nature and healthy school environments designed with the community to support: safe outdoor education, physical and mental health, social and emotional well-being, and climate resilience for Los Angeles County’s public-school students and communities.
Master Gardener Partnership
The School Garden Partnership with Master Gardeners strives to build strong connections between Master Gardeners and neighborhood schools by training Master Gardeners on the unique needs of school gardens and then facilitating connections to high-need schools for their required volunteer service hours.