FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         

October 24th is FOOD DAY!

~Healthy, Affordable and Sustainable Food for All ~

“Food Day is not just a day-long event, but an opportunity to make a permanent change that supports a more sustainable and healthy future,” stated Holly Holt, DOH-Walton Administrator.

Locally, DOH-Walton has joined with community partners to promote healthy eating habits. The Walton County School District supports school gardens that help supply students with an interactive learning experience to teach students the importance of growing, harvesting, and eating fruits and vegetables.

During the 2013-2014 school year, Freeport Elementary School fourth grade students and teachers created five classroom gardens that contained vegetables and fruits. The students harvested over 39 laundry baskets of red potatoes. The students and teachers then prepared and tasted the fruits and vegetables they produced. This helped the students understand the value and importance of growing fresh produce.

During the same school year, Freeport Middle School eighth grade students developed a school garden to align with the Project Based Learning (PBL) Activity, “Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger.” Students explored the concepts of sustainability, responsibility, the life-cycle, photosynthesis, and other agricultural topics. Garden construction began from grant allocations from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF IFAS) Farm to School Program. This program was in collaboration with Christina Walmer, Farm to School District Coordinator for the Northwest Extension District, and Eddie Powell, the Master Gardener Coordinator with Walton County’s UF IFAS. A member of the Walton County UF IFAS Master Gardener Program, Mary Brewer, worked with other Walton County Master Gardeners and Mr. Appel, 8th grade science teacher, to help improve Freeport Middle School garden and greenhouse materials. The school garden is a constant work in progress and an enjoyable hands-on activity for students.

Through partnerships like the one with the Walton County School District, DOH-Walton hopes to help promote healthier lifestyles. Use Food Day, October 24th, to start eating a healthier diet and put your family’s diet on track. Ask your employer to use Food Day to announce a wellness policy or to participate in a community-supported agriculture program. Visit FoodDay.org to see what is already happening in your community, and get in on the conversation on social media.