Teaching kids about locally grown foods

Midwest Food Connection empowers elementary school children to make healthy and responsible food choices. Through school programs we educate children about natural foods, local sustainable farming, and the cultural origins of our food.

Teaching children to eat well

Midwest Food Connection (MFC) sends educators into elementary school classrooms to teach about healthy eating, local foods, as well as sustainable and organic agriculture.

• We provide children with opportunities to study and taste natural and organic foods.
• We create an understanding in children of the origins and traditions of regionally produced foods.
• We teach children about the methods and benefits of organic and sustainable agriculture.
• We organize and lead field trips to local diversified farms.

Working with your school

Please contact us to find out how Midwest Food Connection can partner with your school to bring our natural foods and sustainable agriculture curriculum to your classroom. Click the link to learn more about our programs and to see sample lesson plans.

Our extensive curriculum covers topics from whole grains to local produce to immigrant cuisines. We have created elementary-school lessons specifically for kindergarten, primary, and intermediate grades. Each lesson has been carefully polished through frequent use in a variety of classroom settings.

Midwest Food Connection has partnered with schools in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota area since 1994. During the school year of 2009-2010, we taught in 53 schools, reaching over 6,400 children with, most of these children experiencing a set of four classroom lessons from us. In addition, we coordinated seven farm field trips.

Become a Supporter

Over the years major support from foundations, the state of Minnesota, as well as natural food cooperatives have provided a strong funding base. The last three years have seen consistent funding levels. If you would like to support us financially, via in-kind donations or through volunteer work, please contact us. We welcome your assistance in reaching more children with our natural foods awareness programs.

Connect with us on Facebook