Governor Proclaims Farm-to-School and Early Education-Month 2024

FARM TO SCHOOL AND EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION MONTH

2024

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, research from the National Farm to School Network demonstrates that Farm to School and Early Care and Education (ECE) offers experiential educational opportunities for children and adolescents related to agriculture, health, and nutrition to promote lifelong health and wellness; and

WHEREAS, agriculture, family and consumer sciences, nutrition, health education and gardening play a critical role in educating North Carolina's children and adolescents about local food from production to consumption, as well as instilling a respect for land and natural resources and food as a source of individual, family and community well-being; and

WHEREAS, schools and early care and education sites provide a market for local agricultural producers, bringing development opportunities for regional food and agricultural economies, to create a more just food system; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2019 U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School Census, 62.6 percent of North Carolina school food authorities report participating in farm to school and 81.7 percent report serving local food in school meals and snacks, reaching 2,087 schools and 1,263,360 students; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2021 North Carolina Farm to Early Care and Education Survey, 77 percent of respondents are already doing farm to ECE activities, including teaching lessons about local food (69 percent); serving local food in meals, snacks, or taste tests (64 percent); and gardening at the center/home (57 percent); and

WHEREAS, Farm to School and Early Care and Education benefits schools, early care and education sites, farms, and communities; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina joins the Farm to School Coalition of North Carolina, NC Farm to Preschool Network, early care and education sites, K-12 schools, and communities across the state in participating in the North Carolina Crunch to celebrate Farm to School and Early Care and Education Month; offer children, adolescents, and adults the opportunity to taste and learn about locally grown produce; and recognize our essential front­line professionals involved in feeding our children and communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October, 2024, as “FARM TO SCHOOL AND EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

                                                                           ________________________________________

                                                                                                           Roy Cooper

                                                                                                              Governor

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-fifth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.