Templin’s Tiny Tots

Lisa has implemented many farm to early care-related activities at her early care. She has an imaginary play area with fruits and veggies, and also tried out growing food with the kids she cares for this year. She says, “[Gardening] was a chance for kids to watch things grow, and eat them. One kid loves cherry tomatoes, and one day we were able to pick 25! A couple of kids that weren’t sure took a bite too.” She tried out hanging strawberries, and was even able to move them back inside where they continued producing after it got too cold outside. 

Lisa even purchased Power of Produce (POP) tokens to her local farmers market to give to families - so they could try a new item without risk. This program is integrated at the farmers’ market, so families can access tokens once a month at their local market. Her families appreciated this opportunity, and her teaching kids about growing fruits and vegetables - “Because not everyone does that”. She indicated her growing efforts also helped her stretch her food dollars with the cost of food being very high. 

Lisa is motivated to implement Farm to Early Care efforts to help her kids learn about how food is grown and cared for. She hopes to help “Get these kids knowing that you don't just go to the grocery store and it's there….they don't just come from the grocery store, but they come from a farm. They are grown.”