In the News: The Important Role of Child Care Centers in Child Nutrition and Local Food Systems
“Those early childhood stages are so important, especially in terms of health and nutrition. It’s a chance to set children’s taste preferences early.” — Dara Bloom, Local Foods Extension Specialist
Child care centers have long been left out of local food system conversations but new research suggests they could play a vital role in strengthening farm-to-institution markets. Dara Bloom, Associate Professor at North Carolina State University and Assistant Director at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, has spent years connecting child care providers with small farmers across North Carolina.In an interview with Civil Eats, Bloom highlights how farm to early care and education (ECE) programs can benefit children’s health and farmers’ livelihoods. These programs combine local food procurement, gardening, and classroom-based food learning setting lifelong healthy eating habits and creating new markets for producers.
The article also explores how childcare centers, especially those in low-income communities, can help bridge nutrition gaps while supporting equitable food systems if given the resources.
Originally published by National Farm to School Network