August 28 – Buffalo-Congressman Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo / Niagara Alls) announces that two local school districts and a non-profit US Department of Agriculture (USAA) have received school donations.
West New York Grassroots Gardens won $ 96,627, Buffalo Public School District $ 96,290, and Niagara Allste Central School District received $ 94,603.
The grant introduces additional locally produced products to school cafeterias and exposes children to agriculture and nutrition and private education. The support works to generate income for American farmers and to boost the local agricultural economy.
“Even before the outbreak, many children went to school hungry, and the deterioration of services caused by the disease shows how vulnerable children and families are in our society,” Higgins said. “These efforts, led by Grisc Gardens and Buffalo and Niagara Allste School districts, will play a key role in bridging food access gaps and promoting healthy nutrition in the future.
Western New York Grace Gardens is a group of community gardeners and activists with a mission to share knowledge, energy and resources to promote “knowledge, energy and resources to promote healthy food, heal system damage and strengthen neighborhood relationships through local gardens.” The partnership will develop more than 1 million square feet of urban green space in more than 100 community gardens in Buffalo and Niagara.
The grant will be used to implement a Western New York School Garden Project that serves students in school-eligible districts on a farm to create collaboration, teacher-led garden clubs, video content, training, and resources for teachers and parents. School Gardens Leader.
While Grassroots Gardens continues to build and fund school gardens in Buffalo and Niagara Alsé, we have been asked to provide technical support for rural and suburban schools to start their own school gardens. This project is a digital curriculum to provide instructional or parental training on a school garden program for us to build, ”said Janet Konkowski, executive director of Grasrotos Gardens in West New York.
The Fall School District Gift Award will help the school farm engage the school community in activities that improve access to local food. The program includes local procurement and agricultural education efforts.
The district will use the farm’s money to expand and grow the garden curriculum, provide improved curricula in middle and high schools, increase local purchases, expand the existing harvest program, and bring ready-made meals to low-income neighborhoods. , And staff training.
“Farm to School Grant will help us take urban food deserts directly by bringing healthy, fresh, local food to our students and families,” said Mark Laurry, Superintendent of Falls Schools. “Health is very important to our community, and it is the school district’s responsibility to provide nutritious food and information on healthy Niagara residents.