Farm to Families – Proving Nutrition Can Taste Great!
“If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops, oh what a rain that would be. Yum, yum!” Do you remember that song from childhood? At The Leaven, we’re teaching boys and girls that the raindrops that fall in Northern California can bring us something even better than candy delicious, nutritious, farm-fresh produce!
For busy families, eating healthy can be a chore. It seems easier to drive through the take-out window and grab a burger. For children whose parents are working -often holding down two or even three jobs preparing nutritious meals and snacks is even more challenging. That’s why we are bringing good eating right to their neighborhood.
Through a partnership with Kaiser Permanente, our Farms to Families program goes to the Cleo Gordon neighborhood each month. This program provides free farm-grown produce, health screenings, health education and nutrition support. We also include community-building events like a safety and cultural diversity fair and activities for children.
Cynthia Verrett , Kaiser Permanente’s community benefit manager for Napa and Solano Counties, says this about our partnership: “Kaiser Permanente is pleased to partner with The Leaven on the Farm to Families program. This unique program . . . is a great example of local community organizations joining forces to provide resources and services directly to residents of local neighborhoods.”
So, maybe the 21th century version of that children’s song should be, “If all the raindrops were tomatoes, beans and zucchini, oh what a rain that would be. Yum, yum!”
