September 29, 2018
Eastdale Collegiate Institute, Toronto
# attendees: 45
Event description:
The goals of the training session were to bring together Farm to School (F2S) Salad Bar Program grant recipients from across Ontario to build relationships, experience a salad bar service for lunch, and to share knowledge and resources to better implement and sustain their F2S programs.
The event enabled the participants to learn about the national F2S Initiative, Farm to School: Canada Digs In! and to connect with other grant recipients on themes such as boosting student participation, procuring local food, planning for sustainability, and linking the salad bar to curriculum.
Details to highlight:
Participants greatly enjoyed the presentations that were given by 6 schools who received their grants in 2016. These schools shared some of their lessons learned and how they were making their programs succeed.
One of the highlights of the day was being given a tour of the school, including the rooftop market garden that Eastdale Collegiate Institute has established in partnership with FoodShare Toronto.
What were people saying?
Participants loved meeting each other and sharing stories about their programs. Here are some specific takeaways that schools will be bringing home with them:
“I saw some great menu themes that were being used by other groups that I would like to try”.
“I’m excited to explore hydroponic growing”
“Ideas for farmer engagement and getting more local!”
“There were many helpful equipment ideas to extend our garden season & compost systems.”
“I enjoyed learning about different growing techniques for indoor growing.”
“Consideration for changing our service model – which I think will make it better.”
