The Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) is putting its CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant funding to good use, expanding access to fresh, locally grown food for Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) students.
“This partnership has allowed our Nutrition Services Department to offer healthier meals while strengthening students’ connections to whole foods, agriculture and gardening,” said HBUHSD Nutrition Services Administrator John Chiu.
At the center of this work is CAP OC’s 8-acre Giving Farm that grows fresh produce, including strawberries, watermelon, avocados, oranges, broccoli and butternut squash, used in school meals.
“When seasonal items are available or featured in meals, we promote them through social media and district communications so students can see the direct connection between local farming and what’s on their plate,” Chiu added.
Students, faculty and administrators also interact with the fresh produce through a bi-monthly farmers’ market hosted by HBUHSD’s Adult Transition Program.
“These markets allow our team to sample fresh produce, test new recipes with students and provide nutrition education,” Chiu explained. “It’s about meeting students where they are and making healthy food approachable and exciting.”
Through their collaborative efforts and support from CDFA’s Farm to School Regional staff, CAP OC and HBUHSD remain committed to building a sustainable, educational and nourishing food system that benefits students today and for years to come. Visit the CDFA Farm to School Program website for more information.