U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. is one of 105 partners with the Alliance to Feed the Future. The following description of the organization was found on their website -:http://www.alliancetofeedthefuture.org/

About the Alliance

Thanks to decades of investment and innovation, America’s food and agriculture producers feed the world with safe, nutritious, affordable food. It’s a system that we can take pride in, and it will become even more essential in the coming years as the world struggles to feed a growing global population.

Unfortunately, there is insufficient focus in today’s public discussion regarding the benefits that our modern, efficient food system provides to consumers and society. This unbalanced public debate is negatively influencing public policy and consumers’ choices.

Scientific societies, universities, industry and commodity groups have launched separate efforts to balance the debate, but these important initiatives can be more effective if more of us are informed about them and can participate.

The Alliance to Feed the Future is a new umbrella network that connects these disparate efforts, so they become more effective.

Mission of the Alliance:

Raise awareness and improve understanding of the benefits & necessity of modern food production and technology in order to meet global demand.

Quite a few months ago, I was one of many that received an email asking for help in creating the “Lunchbox Lessons: The Journey from Farm to Fork” curriculum which focuses on grades K-8. I thought, “Hmm, well, I could probably help with this – if they choose to involve me”. The next thing I knew, I was being included on emails asking for my input. I’m not a teacher. But, I sort of know about the process of getting food from the farm to the fork. I definitely could help with anything that might involve harvest. So, I reviewed each section and gave my input. To my surprise, some of the ideas I had were integrated into the curriculum. To view an example of what is being offered, click on the following green links.

GRADES K-2…What will I Find on the Farm?

I firmly believe our younger generations who have no connection to the farm are losing the basic knowledge of where their food comes from. By creating this curriculum for teachers to use, they now have the option to educate our children about the farm to fork process. Granted, this isn’t going to be as wonderful as the experience of being on an actual farm but it’s definitely better than nothing at all. Our children are tomorrow’s leaders. The sooner they understand the loaf of bread found on their table begins with the planting of a single kernel of wheat and not from the grocery store shelf, the better!

GRADES 3-5…Growing and Growing

On July 31, a press release was issued: “The Alliance to Feed the Future today announced the availability of new, free curricula to help students in grades K-8 learn about modern food and agricultural production and how American farmers and producers provide safe, nutritious and abundant food choices every day.

“Lunchbox Lessons: The Journey from Farm to Fork,” was made possible through a grant from Farm Credit, America’s largest agricultural lending cooperative. The grade-specific materials were developed by The Education Center of Greensboro, North Carolina. The comprehensive supplemental curricula guide students through the exciting journey of food from the farm to their forks. The lessons address different phases of agriculture and food production, as well as the basics of food safety, healthful eating, physical activity and energy balance, in an engaging and age-appropriate way. Lunchbox Lessons highlights the crucial role farmers and other food producers play in delivering safe, nutritious and affordable food for American families and the growing global population.

The online, downloadable curricula include 15 grade-specific lesson plans, an 8-panel color classroom poster, and five parent take-home pieces, including Spanish translation. The curricula can be used to complement teachers’ existing lesson plans and incorporate core school subjects such as math and science while students are learning about modern food production. The curricula meet core skills including Common Core State Standards that all teachers are required to satisfy, so it will be useful and relevant for years to come.”

Click here to read the rest of the press release.

If I were a teacher, I would be excited to have brand new – FREE – curriculum to share with my students! It includes worksheets, games, activities, information to send home for the parents and a free Teacher’s Guide!

GRADES 6-8…Know Your Farm

How do you get this for your classroom? Go to http://www.alliancetofeedthefuture.org/ and click on the “Farm to Fork Resources” tab found at the top of the homepage. Once you reach the next page, click on “For Educators” found on the left side.

PARENT SEND HOME PAGE

Please help us get the word out by sharing this information and website with your school, your friends or anyone who could benefit from it. The more people who know about its availability, the greater the opportunity our youngsters will have in gaining knowledge of where their food comes from. It’s our future!

Where does our food come from? The journey from farm to fork