The beautiful Comox Valley, is situated on the East Coast of Vancouver Island on the traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. Farm to school programs and the salad bar model were first introduced in the area in 2012 at Huband Park Elementary School. Inspired by Huband’s success, École Robb Road Elementary and Lake Trail Community Middle schools, followed by Brooklyn Elementary and Mark R Isfeld Secondary also introduced similar salad bar models.
This case study presents the farm to school journey of these five schools between 2012 and 2019. It details how they implemented their farm to school salad bar services, procured local food, and engaged students in food literacy activities as part of the Canada Digs In! initiative. The case study highlights not only the schools’ individual achievements, but how collaboration between the schools, including the formal development of a regional farm to school Learning Circle, has contributed to advancing farm to school in their region.
