Early Care Providers
Why Farm to Kids Matters in Early Care
Supports healthy eating habits: Children in Farm to Early Care programs are more willing to try new foods, eat more fruits and vegetables, and enjoy a wider variety of healthy options.
Builds lifelong connections to food: Early childhood is a key time for developing taste preferences, and hands on learning helps kids understand where their food comes from.
Strengthens farmers and local markets: Early care programs create reliable sales opportunities for farmers and can serve as a steppingstone to other wholesale markets.
Boosts local communities: Farm to Early Care builds strong community relationships and keeps dollars local, generating economic activity that supports jobs and businesses.
What Resources Can I use?
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers grants to help local schools and childcare centers buy and serve fresh, Minnesota-grown food.
Easy to use Farm to Early Care activities.
Nutrition education and cooking curriculum designed to build food skills and confidence in children.
PoP Club is a farmers markets incentive program for children. It engages children ages 4 to 12 at farmers markets and empowers them to make healthful food choices.
Resources for early care providers to bring Minnesota Harvest of the Month into their programs, including activity plans and hands-on learning materials for locally grown foods.
The Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) supports community-driven solutions to expand opportunities for healthy eating, active living and commercial tobacco-free living.
Want to Learn More About Farm to Early Care?
Overview of Farm to School and Early Care programs, benefits, and how schools and early care sites can get started.
January 2024 report on Farm to Early Care efforts within the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
